N-2 1 tv517325_n2.htm N-2

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 16, 2019

 

File Nos. [●]/811-23457

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-2

 

  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 x
     
  Pre-Effective Amendment No. ¨
  Post-Effective Amendment No. ¨
     
  and/or  
     
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 x
     
  Amendment No. ¨

 

Hartford Schroders Opportunistic Income Fund

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

690 Lee Road, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (610) 386-4068

 

Thomas R. Phillips, Esquire

Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC

690 Lee Road

Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Copy to:

John V. O’Hanlon, Esquire

Dechert LLP

One International Place, 40th Floor

100 Oliver Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02110-2605

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement

 

If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. x

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

x  when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Title of Securities Being
Registered
Amount Being
Registered
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)
Amount of
Registration
Fee
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest  100,000 $10 $1,000,000 $121.20

 

(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee.

 

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preliminary Prospectus dated July 16, 2019 

Subject to Completion

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted.

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

September_______________, 2019

 

Hartford Schroders OPPORTUNISTIC Income Fund

CLASS A SHARES (xxxx), CLASS I SHARES (xxxx) AND CLASS SDR SHARES (xxxx) OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

 

The Hartford Schroders Opportunistic Income Fund (the “Fund”) is a newly-organized Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund has elected to operate as an interval fund.

 

Investment Objective. The Fund seeks to provide current income and long-term total return consistent with preservation of capital.

 

Interval Fund. The Fund operates as an “interval fund” (defined below) pursuant to which it will, subject to applicable law, conduct quarterly repurchase offers for between 5% and 25% of the Fund’s outstanding common shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”) at net asset value (“NAV”). The Fund will not be required to repurchase Shares at a shareholder’s option nor will Shares be exchangeable for units, interests or shares of any investment of the Fund. In connection with each repurchase offer, it is possible that the Fund may offer to repurchase only the minimum amount of 5% of its outstanding Shares. It is also possible that a repurchase offer may be oversubscribed, with the result that shareholders may only be able to have a portion of their Shares repurchased. The Fund does not currently intend to list its Shares for trading on any national securities exchange. For this reason, the Shares are not readily marketable. Although the Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers to repurchase a portion of the Shares to try to provide liquidity to shareholders, investors should consider the Shares to be illiquid.

 

Principal Investment Strategies. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in U.S. and foreign fixed and floating rate securitized credit instruments and various types of loan investments. Securitized credit instruments include commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), asset-backed securities (“ABS”), agency and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and uniform mortgage-backed securities (“UMBS”). “Agency MBS” and “Agency CMBS” are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, including the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”). Credit instruments in which the Fund may invest also include interests in mortgage and mezzanine loans and/or whole loan pools of mortgages, including commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real-estate assets secured by properties. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in loan investments. The loans in which the Fund will invest will generally be diversified by property type, geography and borrower, and secured by properties primarily in the office, retail, single-family rental, multifamily, industrial and hospitality properties sectors. The Fund may invest in the following loan types: senior first mortgage loans, junior participations in first lien mortgage loans with a senior/subordinate structure (“B-notes”), mezzanine loans, bridge loans and single-family rental loans. The Fund’s investments may include exposure to both senior and subordinated tranches of each of the types of securitized credit instruments discussed above. The Fund may originate loans, including, residential and/or commercial real estate or mortgage-related loans, consumer loans or other types of loans, which may be in the form of whole loans, secured and unsecured notes, senior and second lien loans, mezzanine loans or similar investments.

 

Although the Fund may invest in securities of any maturity or duration, the Fund expects to maintain a dollar weighted average duration of 3 years or less under normal market conditions. Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of a fixed income security’s price

 

 

 

 

to changes in interest rates. The Fund’s average duration measure will incorporate a bond’s yield, coupon, final maturity, and the effect of derivatives that may be used to manage the Fund’s interest rate risk.

 

The Fund may invest without limit in mortgage-related high-yield instruments rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in non-U.S. securities, which may include non-U.S. dollar denominated foreign mortgage-related securities. The Fund may invest in Rule 144A securities and mortgage dollar rolls, and may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis through the “to-be-announced” (“TBA”) market. The Fund may use forward currency contracts to hedge currency risk and may engage in repurchase and reverse repurchase agreement transactions. The Fund may also use leverage (i.e., borrow through the use of reverse repurchase transactions or derivatives transactions or through a bank) as part of the portfolio management process, subject to the limits of the 1940 Act.

 

Unlisted Closed-End Fund. An investment in the Fund is subject to, among others, the following risks:

 

·There is not expected to be any secondary trading market in the Shares.
·Shareholders should not expect to be able to sell their Shares regardless of how the Fund performs. An investment in the Fund is considered illiquid.
·Unlike most closed-end funds, the Shares are not listed on any securities exchange. The Fund intends to provide liquidity through quarterly offers to repurchase a limited amount of the Fund’s Shares (at least 5%).
·There is no assurance that monthly distributions paid by the Fund will be maintained at a certain level or that dividends will be paid at all.
·The Fund’s distributions may be funded from unlimited amounts of offering proceeds or borrowings, which may constitute a return of capital and reduce the amount of capital available to the Fund for investment. Any capital returned to Shareholders through distributions will be distributed after payment of fees and expenses.
·A return of capital to Shareholders is a return of a portion of their original investment in the Fund, thereby reducing the tax basis of their investment. As a result of such reduction in tax basis, Shareholders may be subject to tax in connection with the sale of Fund Shares, even if such Shares are sold at a loss relative to the Shareholder’s original investment.

 

Investing in Shares involves a high degree of risk. See “Types of Investments and Related Risks” beginning on page __ of this Prospectus.

 

 

 

The date of this Prospectus is August_______________, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

Per Class A
Share(1)

Per Class I
Share(1)

Per Class SDR
Share(1)

Total(2)

Public Offering Price $   At current NAV, plus sales charge $   At current NAV $   At current NAV Up to $_____________
Sales Charge (Load)(1) Up to 3.00% None None     N/A
Proceeds to the Fund (Before Expenses)(2) $  Amount invested at current NAV $  Amount invested at current NAV $  Amount invested at current NAV Up to $______________
 

(1)The minimum initial investment for Class A shares of the Fund is $5,000, and the minimum subsequent investment for Class A shares of the Fund is $250. The minimum initial investment for Class I shares of the Fund is $5,000 while subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The minimum initial investment for Class SDR shares of the Fund is $5,000,000 while subsequent investments may be made in any amount. These minimums may be waived for certain investors. Class A shares are subject to a sales charge of up to 3.00%. Class I shares and Class SDR shares of the Fund are not subject to sales charges. The table assumes the maximum sales charge is imposed.

 

(2)Assumes all Shares currently registered are sold in the continuous offering. Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC will also bear certain ongoing offering costs associated with the Fund’s continuous offering of Shares.

 

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser. The investment adviser to the Fund is Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC (the “Adviser” or “HFMC”), an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). The Adviser oversees the management of the Fund’s activities and supervises the activities of the investment sub-adviser. The Fund’s sub-adviser is Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. (“SIMNA” or the “Sub-Adviser”), an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act. The Sub-Adviser is responsible for the daily investment activities for the Fund.

 

Securities Offered. The Fund is offering on a continuous basis up to _______ Shares. For Class A shares, the maximum sales charge is 3.00% of the amount invested. Class I shares and Class SDR shares are not subject to sales charges. The minimum initial investment for Class A shares of the Fund is $5,000, and the minimum subsequent investment for Class A shares of the Fund is $250. The minimum initial investment for Class I shares is $5,000, while subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The minimum initial investment for Class SDR shares is $5,000,000, while subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The Fund reserves the right at its sole discretion to waive the investment minimums. Shares are being offered through Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) at an offering price equal to the Fund’s then current NAV per Share plus any applicable sales charge.

 

This Prospectus provides the information that a prospective investor should know about the Fund before investing. Investors are advised to read this Prospectus carefully and to retain it for future reference. Additional information about the Fund, including a statement of additional information, dated ____________, 2019 (the “Statement of Additional Information”), has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. The Statement of Additional Information and, when available, the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports and other information filed with the SEC, can be obtained upon request and without charge by writing to the Fund at ____________________, by calling (888) 843-7824 or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.hartfordfunds.com. The table of contents of the Statement of Additional Information appears on page ___ of this Prospectus. Investors may request the Statement of Additional Information, annual and semi-annual reports, when available, and other information about the Fund by calling (888) 843-7824 or by visiting www.hartfordfunds.com. In addition, the contact information provided above may be used to request additional information about the Fund and to make Shareholder inquiries. The Statement of Additional Information, other material incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and other information about the Fund is also available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The address of the SEC’s website is provided solely for the information of prospective investors and is not intended to be an active link.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Shares are not deposits or obligations of, and are not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and Shares are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other government agency.

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (www.hartfordfunds.com). You will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. You may at any time elect to receive paper copies of all shareholder reports free of charge by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly with the Fund, by calling 1-888-843-7824. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Hartford Funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary

 

 

 

or directly with the Fund. If you previously elected to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
SUMMARY OF TERMS 1
   
SUMMARY OF FEES AND EXPENSES 20
   
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 21
   
THE FUND 21
   
THE ADVISER 21
   
THE SUB-ADVISER 21
   
USE OF PROCEEDS 21
   
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES 21
   
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS AND RELATED RISKS 28
   
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND 47
   
FUND EXPENSES 49
   
MANAGEMENT FEE 51
   
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE 52
   
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST 54
   
SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM 55
   
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE 57
   
OUTSTANDING SECURITIES 57
   
TAX MATTERS 60
   
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS 68
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 69
   
SALES CHARGES CLASS A SHARES 72
   
HOW TO BUY SHARES 75
   
DISTRIBUTIONS 77
   
PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF THE SUB-ADVISER 79
   
FISCAL YEAR; REPORTS 81
   
INQUIRIES 82
   
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 83
   
[APPENDIX A WAIVERS AND DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FROM INTERMEDIARIES A-1]
   

 

 

 

SUMMARY OF TERMS

 

This is only a summary and does not contain all of the information that a prospective investor should consider before investing in the Fund. Before investing, a prospective investor in the Fund should carefully read the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information.

 

THE FUND   The Fund is a newly-organized Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the 1940 Act as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund is operated as an “interval fund” (as defined below).
     
THE ADVISER and Sub-Adviser   Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC (“HFMC” or the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser and Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. (“SIMNA” or the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s sub-adviser. Each of HFMC and SIMNA is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).
     
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE   The Fund seeks to provide current income and long-term total return consistent with preservation of capital.
     

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

AND STRATEGIES

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in U.S. and foreign fixed and floating rate securitized credit instruments and various types of loan investments. Securitized credit instruments include commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), asset-backed securities (“ABS”), agency and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and uniform mortgage-backed securities (“UMBS”). “Agency MBS” and “Agency CMBS” are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, including the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”). Credit instruments in which the Fund may invest also include interests in mortgage and mezzanine loans and/or whole loan pools of mortgages, including commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real-estate assets secured by properties. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in loan investments. The loans in which the Fund will invest will generally be diversified by property type, geography and borrower, and secured by properties primarily in the office, retail, single-family rental, multifamily, industrial and hospitality properties sectors. The types of loans in which the Fund may invest include the following: senior first mortgage loans, junior participations in first lien mortgage loans with a senior/subordinate structure (“B-notes”), mezzanine loans, bridge loans and single-family rental loans. The Fund’s investments may include exposure to both senior and subordinated tranches of each of the types of securitized credit instruments discussed above. The Fund may originate loans, including, residential and/or commercial real estate or mortgage-related loans, consumer loans or other types of loans, which may be in the form of whole loans, secured and unsecured notes, senior and second lien loans, mezzanine loans or similar investments.

 

Although the Fund may invest in securities of any maturity or duration, the Fund expects to maintain a dollar weighted average duration of 3 years or less under normal market conditions. Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of a fixed income security’s price to changes in interest rates. For example, if the Fund’s portfolio has a duration of three years, and interest rates increase (fall) by 1%, the portfolio would decline (increase) in value by approximately 3%. However, duration may not accurately reflect the true interest rate sensitivity of instruments held by the Fund and, therefore, the Fund’s exposure to changes in interest rates. The Fund’s average duration measure will incorporate a bond’s yield, coupon, final maturity, and the effect of derivatives that may be used to manage the Fund’s interest rate risk.

 

 

 

 

   

The Fund may invest without limit in mortgage-related high-yield instruments rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in non-U.S. securities, which may include non-U.S. dollar denominated foreign mortgage-related securities. The Fund may invest in Rule 144A securities and mortgage dollar rolls, and may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis through the “to-be-announced” (“TBA”) market. The Fund may use forward currency contracts to hedge currency risk and may engage in repurchase and reverse repurchase agreement transactions. The Fund may also use leverage (i.e., borrow through the use of reverse repurchase transactions or derivatives transactions or through a bank) as part of the portfolio management process, subject to the limits of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

 

In addition to the investments discussed above, the Fund may invest in other instruments, which may include bonds, debt instruments, equity securities and preferred stock and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public or private sector entities. The Fund may invest in securities and other instruments of emerging market issuers. The below investment grade securities in which the Fund may invest are securities rated “Ba” or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., “BB” or lower by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or “BB” or lower by Fitch, Inc. or are rated equivalently by another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization or securities, if unrated, that are determined by the Sub-Adviser to be of comparable below investment grade quality. The Fund may invest in derivative instruments including options, futures contracts, options on futures, fixed-income swap agreements, credit default swap agreements, and currency related derivatives, including currency forwards and currency swaps, subject to applicable law. The Fund typically uses derivatives to seek to reduce exposure to other risks such as interest rate or currency risk, to substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset, and/or to enhance returns in the Fund. The Fund may also, subject to the limits of the 1940 Act, invest in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds.

 

The asset-backed securities in which the Fund may invest include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, and automobile and utilities receivables. The Fund may also invest in uniform mortgage-backed securities issued pursuant to a joint undertaking by FNMA and FHLMC under the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to develop a common securitization platform (the “Single Security Initiative”). The Single Security Initiative launched in June 2019.

 

The Sub-Adviser uses a research oriented, value-driven approach to investment and seeks to diversify credit risk and access sectors with the strongest fundamentals over the course of a credit cycle. The Sub-Adviser seeks to add value at different points in the credit cycle by capitalizing on inefficiencies within and among the financing markets for assets, including cyclical opportunities, and opportunities driven by regulation. In general, the Fund seeks to benefit from various risk premiums found within the securitized debt markets, capturing value through security selection, sector rotation and issue specific selection. In addition, the Sub-Adviser also considers certain environmental, social and/or governance (ESG) factors when assessing investment opportunities as long as those factors are consistent with the Fund’s investment strategy.

     
PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION  

The Fund’s portfolio will consist primarily of:

 

Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are securities backed by a pool of some underlying asset, including but not limited to home equity loans, installment sale contracts, credit card receivables or other assets. Asset-backed securities are “pass-through” securities, meaning that principal and interest payments — net of expenses — made by the borrower on the underlying assets (such as credit card receivables) are passed through to the Fund. The value of asset-backed securities,

 

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like that of traditional fixed income securities, typically increases when interest rates fall and decreases when interest rates rise. However, asset-backed securities differ from traditional fixed income securities because of their potential for prepayment. The price paid by the Fund for its asset-backed securities, the yield the Fund expects to receive from such securities and the average life of the securities are based on a number of factors, including the anticipated rate of prepayment of the underlying assets. In a period of declining interest rates, borrowers may prepay the underlying assets more quickly than anticipated, thereby reducing the yield to maturity and the average life of the asset-backed securities. Moreover, when the Fund reinvests the proceeds of a prepayment in these circumstances, it will likely receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the security that was prepaid.

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities. CMBS are fixed income instruments that are secured by mortgage loans on commercial real property. CMBS typically take the form of multi-class debt or pass-through certificates secured by mortgage loans on commercial properties. They generally are structured to provide protection to investors in senior tranches against potential losses on the underlying mortgage loans. Such protection generally is provided by causing holders of subordinated classes of securities (“Subordinated CMBS”) to take the first loss in the event of defaults on the underlying commercial mortgage loans. Other protection, which may benefit all of the classes or particular classes, may include issuer guarantees, reserve funds, additional Subordinated CMBS, cross-collateralization and over-collateralization. The Fund may invest in CMBS of any credit quality, including, without limitation, Subordinated CMBS, CMBS that are rated below investment grade or are unrated and CMBS that are in default.

 

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities. RMBS are fixed income instruments that may be secured by interests in a single residential mortgage loan or a pool of mortgage loans secured by residential property. The Fund may purchase, without limitation, RMBS that may be senior, subordinate, interest-only, principal-only, investment-grade, non-investment grade, unrated or in default. The Fund acquires RMBS from private originators as well as from government sponsored entities such as GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC and other mortgage loan investors, including savings and loan associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, finance companies and investment banks. The credit quality of any RMBS issue depends primarily on the credit quality of the underlying mortgage loans. The investment characteristics of RMBS differ from traditional debt securities. Among the major differences are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently, usually monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at any time because the underlying residential mortgage loans or other assets generally may be prepaid at any time.

 

Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund may also invest in uniform mortgage-backed securities issued pursuant to the Single Security Initiative, a joint undertaking by FNMA and FHLMC under the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to develop a common securitization platform. The Single Security Initiative launched in June 2019.

 

Commercial Mortgage Loans. The Fund may invest in commercial mortgage loans, including the following types: senior first mortgage loans, B-notes, mezzanine loans, bridge loans and single-family rental loans.

 

·     Senior First Mortgage Loans

A senior loan is generally secured by a first mortgage lien on a commercial property and may bear interest at a fixed or floating rate.

 

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·     B-Notes

A B-note loan is the junior participation in a first lien mortgage loan with a senior/subordinate structure. B-notes are subordinate to the senior portion of the loan, but senior to the owner’s equity.

 

·     Mezzanine Loans

Mezzanine loans customarily take the form of loans secured by a pledge of the ownership interests of either the entity owning the property or an entity that owns a direct or indirect interest in the entity owning the property. These loans are subordinate to senior and subordinate mortgage loans, but senior to the owner’s equity.

 

·     Bridge Loans

Bridge loans, typically first lien, serve as the bridge to a permanent loan upon property stabilization. These loans often bear interest at floating rates. Characteristics typically include substantial cash equity on the part of the borrower, a low leverage point and a proven operator.

 

·     Single-Family Rental Loans

Single-family rental loans comprise financing to local operators secured by no fewer than five single-family rental properties (which are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted). Such local operators will typically manage less than 200 properties.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. A CMO is a multi-class bond backed by a pool of mortgage pass-through certificates or mortgage loans. CMOs may be collateralized by (i) GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC pass-through certificates; (ii) unsecuritized mortgage loans insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs; (iii) unsecuritized conventional mortgages; (iv) other MBS; or (v) any combination thereof. Each class of a CMO, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on collateral underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired substantially earlier than its stated maturity or final distribution date. The principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among the several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. One or more tranches of a CMO may have coupon rates that reset periodically at a specified increment over an index, such as LIBOR (or sometimes more than one index). These floating rate CMOs typically are issued with lifetime caps on the coupon rate thereon. The Fund does not intend to invest in CMO residuals, which represent the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the payments of interest and principal on the tranches issued by the CMO and the payment of administrative expenses and management fees.

 

Subordinated Debt, Senior Debt and Preferred Securities of Banks and Diversified Financial Companies. Subordinated debt securities, sometimes also called “junior debt” or “sub-debt,” are debt securities for which the issuer’s obligations to make principal and interest payment are secondary to the issuer’s payment obligations to more senior debt securities. Such investments will consist primarily of debt issued by community banks or savings institutions (or their holding companies), which are subordinated to senior debt issued by the banks and deposits held by the bank, but are senior to trust preferred obligations, preferred stock, and common stock issued by the bank. To a lesser extent, the Fund may also invest in similar securities of other U.S. and non-U.S. financial services companies of any size. These companies may include, but are not limited to, banks, thrifts, finance companies, brokerage and advisory firms, insurance companies and financial holding companies. Many subordinated debt securities may be unrated and some may be considered high-yield securities or “junk bonds.” See “High Yield Securities.” Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return and are subject to many of the risks associated with debt securities, as well as issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally

 

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to equity securities. A company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt.

 

Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs). The Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), which include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”), CLOs and other similarly structured securities. CBOs and CLOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CBO is a trust that is typically backed by a diversified pool of high risk, below investment grade fixed income securities. The collateral can be from many different types of fixed income securities such as high yield debt, residential privately issued mortgage-related securities, commercial privately issued mortgage-related securities, trust preferred securities and emerging market debt. A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. Other CDOs are trusts backed by other types of assets representing obligations of various parties. CDOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses. For CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to insulate the other, more senior tranches from a certain amount of defaults in the underlying asset pools. Since they are partially insulated from defaults, senior tranches from a CBO trust, CLO trust or trust of another CDO typically have higher ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the insulation from loss provided by the equity tranche, CBO, CLO or other CDO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches and market anticipation of defaults as well as aversion to CBO, CLO or other CDO securities as a class.

 

Direct Lending. The Fund may invest in directly originated first lien senior secured loans (including “unitranche” loans, which are loans that combine both senior and mezzanine debt, generally in a first lien position), second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt, which in some cases includes an equity component, of U.S. and foreign middle-market companies, where the Sub-Adviser believes the supply of primary capital is limited and the investment opportunities are most attractive. These investments are typically made to companies with annual EBITDA between $[10] million and $[250] million. As used herein, EBITDA represents net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization.

 

High Yield Securities. The Fund may invest in below investment grade bonds of corporate issuers. These “high-yield” securities (also known as “junk bonds”) may be any security or loan with a long-term credit rating of “Ba” or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), “BB” or lower by Standard and Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or “BB” or lower by Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”), as well as any security or loan that is unrated but determined by the Sub-Adviser to be of comparable quality. There is no minimum credit quality for securities in which the Fund may invest. The Fund will not acquire defaulted bonds of corporate issuers but may hold such securities in the event that a corporate issuer defaults.

 

Derivatives. Derivatives, which are instruments that have a value based on another instrument, exchange rate or index, may be used as substitutes for securities in which the Fund can invest. The Fund uses derivatives to gain or adjust exposure to markets, sectors, securities and currencies and to manage exposure to risks relating to creditworthiness, interest rate spreads, volatility and changes in yield curves. In certain market environments, the Fund may use interest rate swaps and futures contracts to help protect its portfolio from interest rate risk. The Fund may also utilize foreign currency transactions, including currency options and forward

 

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currency contracts, to hedge non-U.S. Dollar investments or to establish or adjust exposure to particular foreign securities, markets or currencies.

 

Foreign Investments. The Fund may invest in foreign issuers and borrowers, which include: (1) companies organized outside of the United States, including in emerging market countries; (2) foreign sovereign governments and their agencies, authorities, instrumentalities and political subdivisions, including foreign states, provinces or municipalities; and (3) issuers and borrowers whose economic fortunes and risks are primarily linked with markets outside the United States. These securities may be denominated, quoted in, or pay income in, U.S. dollars or in a foreign currency. The Fund is not limited in the amount of assets it may invest in such foreign investments.

 

Residential Loans and Mortgages. The Fund may acquire residential loans and mortgages (including through participations, assignments and whole loans) from third-party mortgage originators. The Fund may purchase residential loans and mortgages from a variety of geographical locations and such loans and mortgages may be of any credit quality, including, without limitation, instruments that are rated below investment grade or are unrated and instruments that are in default.

 

U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. In addition, the value of U.S. Government securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government. U.S. Government securities are also subject to the risk that the U.S. Treasury will be unable to meet its payment obligations.

 

To Be Announced (TBA) Transactions. TBA investments include when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments. TBA transactions involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. The Fund is subject to this risk whether or not the Fund takes delivery of the securities on the settlement date for a transaction. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund loses both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price. The Fund may also take a short position in a TBA investment when it owns or has the right to obtain, at no added cost, identical securities. If the Fund takes such a short position, it may reduce the risk of a loss if the price of the securities declines in the future, but will lose the opportunity to profit if the price rises.

 

Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into certain types of repurchase agreements (including reverse repurchase agreements) or purchase and sale contracts. A repurchase agreement is an agreement between two parties whereby one party sells the other a security at a specified price with a commitment to repurchase the security later at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. A reverse repurchase agreement is a term used to describe the opposite side of a repurchase transaction and represents a form of borrowing. The party that purchases and later resells a security is said to perform a repurchase; the other party, that sells and later repurchases a security is said to perform a reverse repurchase. The Fund is permitted to enter into fully collateralized repurchase agreements. A purchase and sale contract is similar to a repurchase agreement, but purchase and sale contracts provide that the purchaser receives any interest on the

 

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security paid during the period. If the seller fails to repurchase the security in either situation and the market value declines, the Fund may lose money.

 

Forward Currency Contracts. A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The market value of a forward currency contract fluctuates with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. While forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the value of foreign securities, they do allow the Fund to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. Use of such contracts, therefore, can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain.

     
LEVERAGE   The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.  The Fund is permitted to obtain leverage using any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including through funds borrowed from banks or other financial institutions (i.e., a credit facility), margin facilities, or the issuance of notes in an aggregate amount up to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (or in the case of the issuance of preferred shares, 50% of total assets), including any assets purchased with borrowed money, immediately after giving effect to the leverage.  The Fund may also use leverage generated by reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls and similar transactions. The Fund intends to join a credit facility during the 12-month period following the date of the Prospectus. The Fund may use leverage opportunistically and may use different types, combinations or amounts of leverage over time, based on the Adviser’s and/or Sub-Adviser’s views concerning market conditions and investment opportunities. The Fund’s strategies relating to its use of leverage may not be successful, and the Fund’s use of leverage will cause the Fund’s NAV to be more volatile than it would otherwise be.  There can be no guarantee that the Fund will leverage its assets or, to the extent the Fund does use leverage, what percentage of its assets such leverage will represent. See “Investment Objective and Strategies—Leverage.”
     
MANAGEMENT FEE   Pursuant to the investment management agreement, dated as of ___________, 2019 (the “Investment Management Agreement”), by and between the Fund and the Adviser, the Fund pays a monthly management fee to the Adviser at an annual rate, based on the Fund’s average daily net asset value, of _____%. The Adviser pays a sub-advisory fee to SIMNA out of its advisory fee. A discussion of the factors that the Board of Trustees (“Board”) considered in approving the Fund’s advisory agreement will be available in the Fund’s annual report for the fiscal period ended October 31, 2019.
     
    If you invest in the Fund through an investment adviser, bank, broker-dealer, 401(k) plan, trust company or other financial intermediary, the policies and fees for transacting business may be different from those described in this Prospectus. Some financial intermediaries may charge transaction fees and may set different minimum investments or limitations on buying or selling shares. Some financial intermediaries do not charge a direct transaction fee, but instead charge a fee for services such as sub-transfer agency, accounting and/or shareholder services that the financial intermediary provides on the Fund’s behalf. This fee may be based on the number of accounts or may be a percentage of the average value of the Fund’s shareholder accounts for which the financial intermediary provides services. The Fund may pay a portion of this fee, which is intended to compensate the financial intermediary for providing the same services that would otherwise be provided by the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) or other service providers if the Shares were purchased directly from the Fund. To the extent that these fees are not paid by the Fund, the Adviser may pay a fee to financial intermediaries for such services.
     

ADMINISTRATOR,

TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTANT

  Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC provides administrative and accounting services to the Fund.  Hartford Administrative Services Company serves as the Fund’s transfer agent.

 

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DISTRIBUTIONS  

The Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders as dividends all or substantially all of its net investment income and any realized net capital gains. Distributions from the Fund’s net investment income are accrued and paid monthly. See “Distributions.”

 

The Board reserves the right to change the distribution policy from time to time.

     
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN   Unless a shareholder indicates another option on the account application, any dividends and capital gain distributions paid to the shareholder by the Fund automatically will be invested in additional Shares of the Fund. Alternatively, a shareholder may elect to have dividends and/or capital gain distributions paid in cash.
     
BOARD OF TRUSTEES   The Board has overall responsibility for monitoring and overseeing the Fund’s management and operations. A majority of the Trustees are Independent Trustees. See “Management of the Fund.”
     

PURCHASES OF SHARES

 

The Fund’s Shares are offered on a daily basis. Please see “Plan of Distribution” on page __ for purchase instructions and additional information.

 

The minimum initial investment for Class A shares of the Fund is $5,000, and the minimum subsequent investment for Class A shares of the Fund is $250. The minimum initial investment for Class I shares of the Fund is $5,000; subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The minimum initial investment for Class SDR shares of the Fund is $5,000,000; subsequent investments may be made in any amount. The Fund reserves the right to waive the above investment minimums. See “Distributions—Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

     
EXCHANGE OF SHARES   Subject to certain restrictions, you may exchange your Shares in the Fund for Shares of the other classes of the Fund or for shares of another Hartford Funds mutual fund if you meet the minimum investment and other eligibility requirements for the class into which you would like to exchange. See “How to Buy Shares—Exchange Privilege” on page __ for additional information.
     
SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM  

The Shares have no history of public trading, nor is it intended that the Shares will be listed on a public exchange. No secondary market is expected to develop for the Fund’s Shares.

 

The Fund is an “interval fund” that is designed to provide some liquidity to Shareholders by making quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, unless such offer is suspended or postponed in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements (as discussed below). In connection with any given repurchase offer, it is possible that the Fund may offer to repurchase only the minimum allowable amount of 5% of its outstanding Shares. Quarterly repurchases will occur in the months of March, June, September and December starting in March 2020. The Fund’s offer to purchase Shares is a fundamental policy that may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). Written notifications of each quarterly repurchase offer (the “Repurchase Offer Notice”) will be sent to Shareholders at least 21 calendar days before the repurchase request deadline (i.e., the date by which Shareholders can tender their Shares in response to a repurchase offer) (the “Repurchase Request Deadline”). The NAV will be calculated no later than the 14th calendar day (or the next business day if the 14th calendar day is not a business day) after the Repurchase Request Deadline (the “Repurchase Pricing Date”); however, the Fund expects to determine the NAV applicable to repurchases on the Repurchase Request Deadline. The Fund expects to distribute payment to Shareholders between one and three business days after the Repurchase Pricing Date and will distribute such payment no later than seven calendar days after such Date. The Fund’s Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, and the Fund anticipates that no secondary market will

 

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    develop for its Shares. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Thus, the Shares are appropriate only as a long-term investment. In addition, the Fund’s repurchase offers may subject the Fund and Shareholders to special risks. See “Types of Investments and Related Risks—Repurchase Offers Risks.”
     
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION   Hartford Funds Distributor, LLC, (the “Distributor” or “HFD”), 690 Lee Road, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087, serves as the Fund’s principal underwriter and acts as the Distributor of the Fund’s Shares on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions. The Fund’s Shares are offered for sale through the Distributor at NAV plus any applicable sales charge. The Distributor also may enter into broker-dealer selling agreements with other broker dealers for the sale and distribution of the Fund’s Shares.
     
    The Distributor is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of the Fund’s Shares, but will use it best efforts to solicit orders for the sale of the Shares. Shares of the Fund will not be listed on any national securities exchange and the Distributor will not act as a market maker in Fund Shares.  
     
ERISA PLANS AND OTHER
TAX-EXEMPT ENTITIES
  Investors subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and other tax-exempt entities, including employee benefit plans, individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), 401(k) plans and Keogh plans, may purchase Shares. Because the Fund is registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act, the underlying assets of the Fund will not be considered to be “plan assets” of the ERISA plans investing in the Fund for purposes of ERISA’s fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction rules. Thus, none of the Fund, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser will be a fiduciary within the meaning of ERISA with respect to the assets of any ERISA plan that becomes a Shareholder, solely as a result of the ERISA plan’s investment in the Fund.
     
UNLISTED CLOSED-END INTERVAL FUND STRUCTURE   The Fund is organized as a continuously offered, diversified closed-end management investment company. Closed-end funds differ from open-end funds (commonly known as mutual funds) in that the shareholders of closed-end funds do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis. Unlike most closed-end funds, which typically list their shares on a securities exchange, the Fund does not currently intend to list the Shares for trading on any securities exchange, and the Fund does not anticipate that any secondary market will develop for the Shares in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, an investment in the Fund, unlike an investment in a typical closed-end fund, should not be considered to be a liquid investment. In order to provide some liquidity to shareholders, the Fund is operated as an “interval fund” and will conduct quarterly repurchase offers for a limited amount of the Fund’s Shares (at least 5%).
     
    The Fund believes that an unlisted closed-end structure is most appropriate in light of the long-term nature of the Fund’s strategy and the characteristics of its portfolio because, among other things, certain features of open-end funds (such as daily redemptions, which can necessitate the premature sale of investments) could diminish the Fund’s ability to execute its investment strategy. Accordingly, an unlisted closed-end structure is expected to help the Fund achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s NAV per Share may be volatile. As the Shares are not traded, investors will not be able to dispose of their investment in the Fund no matter how poorly the Fund performs.
     
VALUATIONS   The price you pay for your Shares is based on the Fund’s NAV. The Fund’s NAV is calculated as of the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business (the NYSE is closed on weekends, most federal holidays and Good Friday). The Fund’s NAV is calculated by dividing the value of the Fund’s total assets (including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) minus liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the total number of Shares outstanding. Requests to purchase Shares

 

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are processed at the NAV next calculated after the Fund receives your order in proper form plus any applicable sales charge. If the NYSE is closed due to inclement weather, technology problems or any other reason on a day it would normally be open for business, or the NYSE has an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, the Fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and accept purchase orders until, and calculate the Fund’s NAV as of, the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE for that day.

 

In the event the Fund holds portfolio securities that trade in foreign markets or that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its shares, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase the Fund’s shares.

 

For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets held in the Fund’s portfolio for which market quotations are readily available are valued at market value. Market value is generally determined on the basis of official close price or last reported trade price. If no trades were reported, market value is based on prices obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers (including evaluated prices), or independent pricing services. Pricing vendors may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values, including transaction data, credit quality information, general market conditions, news, and other factors and assumptions.

 

If market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, the Fund will use the fair value of the security or other instrument as determined in good faith under policies and procedures established by and under the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (“Valuation Procedures”). Market quotations are considered not readily available where there is an absence of current or reliable market-based data (e.g., trade information or broker quotes), including where events occur after the close of the relevant market, but prior to the NYSE Close that materially affect the values of the Fund’s portfolio holdings or assets. In addition, market quotations are considered not readily available when, due to extraordinary circumstances, the exchanges or markets on which the securities or other instruments trade, do not open for trading for the entire day and no other market quotations are available. Fair value pricing is subjective in nature and the use of fair value pricing by the Fund may cause the NAV of its shares to differ significantly from the NAV that would have been calculated using market quotations at the close of the exchange on which a portfolio holding is primarily traded. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if the Fund were to sell the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV. See “Valuation of Private Investments Risks” below.

 

Prices of foreign equities that are principally traded on certain foreign markets will generally be adjusted daily pursuant to a fair value pricing service in order to reflect an adjustment for the factors occurring after the close of certain foreign markets but before the NYSE Close. Securities and other instruments that are primarily traded on foreign markets may trade on days that are not business days of the Fund. The value of the foreign securities or other instruments in which the Fund invests may change on days when a shareholder will not be able to purchase shares of the Fund.

 

Fixed income investments (other than short-term obligations) held by the Fund are normally valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services in accordance with the Valuation Procedures. Short term investments maturing in 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost if their original term to maturity was 60 days or less, or by amortizing their value on the 61st day prior to maturity, if the original term exceeded 60 days.

 

Exchange-traded derivatives, such as options, futures and options on futures, are valued at the last sale price determined by the exchange where such instruments principally trade as of the close of such exchange (“Exchange Close”). If a last sale price is not available, the value will be the mean of the most recently quoted bid and

 

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ask prices as of the Exchange Close. If a mean of the bid and ask prices cannot be calculated for the day, the value will be the most recently quoted bid price as of the Exchange Close. Over-the-counter derivatives are normally valued based on prices supplied by independent pricing services in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

 

Investments valued in currencies other than U.S. dollars are converted to U.S. dollars using the prevailing spot currency exchange rates obtained from independent pricing services for calculation of the NAV. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities or other instruments traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the Exchange is closed and the market value may change on days when an investor is not able to purchase, exchange, or request the repurchase of shares of the Fund.

 

Foreign currency contracts represent agreements to exchange currencies on specific future dates at predetermined rates. Foreign currency contracts are valued using foreign currency exchange rates and forward rates as provided by an independent pricing service on the Valuation Date.

 

Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the respective NAV of each open-end mutual fund on the Valuation Date. Shares of investment companies listed and traded on an exchange are valued in the same manner as any exchange-listed equity security. Such open-end mutual funds and listed investment companies may use fair value pricing as disclosed in their prospectuses.

 

Financial instruments for which prices are not available from an independent pricing service may be valued using market quotations obtained from one or more dealers that make markets in the respective financial instrument in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

 

Because the Fund relies on various sources to calculate its NAV, the Fund is subject to certain operational risks associated with reliance on the Pricing Services and other service providers and data sources. The Fund’s NAV calculation may be impacted by operational risks arising from factors such as failures in systems and technology. Such failures may result in delays in the calculation of the Fund’s NAV and/or the inability to calculate NAV over extended time periods. The Fund may be unable to recover any losses associated with such failures.

     
SUMMARY OF TAXATION   The Fund intends to elect to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intends to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that is currently distributed as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to Shareholders, as applicable. To qualify and maintain its qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund is required to meet certain specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements, and is required to distribute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount at least equal to 90% of the sum of its net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses each tax year to Shareholders, as applicable. See “Distributions” and “Tax Matters.”
     
FISCAL YEAR   For accounting purposes, the Fund’s fiscal year is the 12-month period ending on October 31.
     
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS   As soon as practicable after the end of each calendar year, a statement on Form 1099-DIV identifying the sources of the distributions paid by the Fund to Shareholders for tax purposes will be furnished to Shareholders subject to Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) reporting. In addition, the Fund will prepare and transmit to Shareholders

 

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    an unaudited semi-annual and an audited annual report within 60 days after the close of the period for which the report is being made, or as otherwise required by the 1940 Act.
     
RISK FACTORS  

The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. There may be circumstances that could prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective and you may lose money by investing in the Fund. You should carefully consider the Fund’s investment risks before deciding whether to invest in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit at a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

 

For a more complete discussion of the risks of investing in the Fund, see “Types of Investments and Related Risks.” Shareholders should consider carefully the following principal risks before investing in the Fund.

     
   

·    Repurchase Offer Risk - Although the Fund intends to implement a quarterly share repurchase program, there is no guarantee that an investor will be able to sell all of the Shares he or she desires to sell. Accordingly, the Fund should be considered an illiquid investment.

 

·    Market Risk − Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Securities of a company may decline in value due to its financial prospects and activities, including certain operational impacts, such as data breaches and cybersecurity attacks. Securities may also decline in value due to general market and economic movements and trends, including adverse changes to credit markets or the real estate sector.

 

·    Interest Rate Risk − The risk that your investment may go down in value when interest rates rise, because when interest rates rise, the prices of bonds and fixed rate loans fall. A wide variety of factors can cause interest rates to rise, including central bank monetary policies and inflation rates. Generally, the longer the maturity of a bond or fixed rate loan, the more sensitive it is to this risk. Falling interest rates also create the potential for a decline in the Fund’s income. These risks are greater during periods of rising inflation. Volatility in interest rates and in fixed income markets may increase the risk that the Fund’s investment in fixed income securities will go down in value. Risks associated with rising interest rates are currently heightened because interest rates in the U.S. remain near historic lows and the Federal Reserve Board has recently raised, and may continue to raise, interest rates. Actions taken by the Federal Reserve Board or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, such as decreases or increases in short-term interest rates, may adversely affect markets, which could, in turn, negatively impact Fund performance.

 

·    Credit Risk − Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security or other instrument will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s financial strength, credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.

 

·    Call Risk − Call risk is the risk that an issuer, especially during a period of falling interest rates, may redeem a security by repaying it early, which may reduce the Fund’s income if the proceeds are reinvested at lower interest rates.

 

·    Real Estate Related Securities Risk - In addition to general market risk, the main risk of real estate related securities is that the value of the underlying real estate may go down due, among other factors, to the strength of the

 

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general and local economies, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations affecting real estate and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgages and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. The real estate industry is particularly sensitive to economic downturns. If the Fund’s real estate related investments are concentrated in one geographic area or in one property type, the Fund will be particularly subject to the risks associated with that area or property type.

 

·    Mortgage-Related and Asset-Backed Securities Risk − Mortgage-related and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk, “prepayment risk” (the risk that borrowers will repay a loan more quickly in periods of falling interest rates) and “extension risk” (the risk that borrowers will repay a loan more slowly in periods of rising interest rates). If the Fund invests in mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities that are subordinated to other interests in the same mortgage pool, the Fund may only receive payments after the pool’s obligations to other investors have been satisfied. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may limit substantially the pool’s ability to make payments of principal or interest to the Fund, reducing the values of those securities or in some cases rendering them worthless. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include so-called “subprime” mortgages. Under the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, FNMA and FHLMC have entered into a joint initiative to develop a common securitization platform for the issuance of a uniform mortgage-backed security (the “Single Security Initiative”), which generally aligns the characteristics of FNMA and FHLMC certificates. The Single Security Initiative launched in June 2019, and the effects it may have on the market for mortgage-backed securities are uncertain.

 

·    Commercial Mortgage Loans Risk - The Fund may also invest in loans or other investments secured by real estate (other than mortgage-backed securities) and may, as a result of default, foreclosure or otherwise, take possession of and hold real estate as a direct owner. Each of these types of investments are subject, directly or indirectly, to risks associated with ownership of real estate, including changes in the general economic climate or local conditions (such as an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand for space), loss to casualty or condemnation, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, zoning law amendments, changes in interest rates, overbuilding and increased competition, including competition based on rental rates, variations in market value, changes in the financial condition of tenants, changes in operating costs, attractiveness and location of the properties, adverse changes in the real estate markets generally or in specific sectors of the real estate industry and possible environmental liabilities. Real estate-related investments may entail leverage and may be highly volatile. Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest. If the Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments on such indebtedness, the Fund’s share price and yield could be adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured offer the Fund more protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. In the event of the bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations in its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a loan. Private loans are generally illiquid and the Fund may not be able to sell the investments for their market value in a reasonable time or at all. The availability of commercial mortgage loans may at times be limited and SIMNA and/or the service providers upon whom

 

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SIMNA relies to help source the loans, which may be affiliates of SIMNA and/or the Fund, may be unable to find a sufficient number of attractive opportunities in which to invest, which may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. The activity of identifying, completing and realizing attractive investments is highly competitive and involves a high degree of uncertainty. The Fund competes for commercial mortgage loan investments with real estate investment vehicles, as well as individuals, publicly-traded mortgage REITs, CMBS issuers, financial institutions (such as mortgage banks, insurance companies and pension funds) and other institutional investors. Additional funds and REITs and other vehicles with similar investment objectives to the Fund may be formed in the future by other related or unrelated parties. The success of the Fund in locating good commercial mortgage loan investment opportunities depends on the ability of SIMNA, together with the service providers upon whom SIMNA relies to help source the loans, to source investment opportunities for the Fund, to identify suitable investments and to negotiate and arrange the closing of appropriate transactions. Consistent with customary industry practice, fees associated with the sourcing of loans acquired by the Fund through the use of service providers (whether third parties or strategic partners) may be deducted from the loan interest payments made by borrowers prior to those interest payments being remitted to the Fund. As such, the Fund will bear such fees, and such fees are excluded from the Fund’s expense limitation arrangements. Although such fees may vary from service provider to service provider due to a number of factors, including the nature of the loan type (e.g., senior first mortgage loans, B-notes, mezzanine loans, bridge loans or single-family rental loans), the principal balance and the length of such loans, such fees may range from approximately 0.05% to 0.25% annually on the then current principal balance of each such loan until maturity. Further, there may be a limited number of service providers upon which SIMNA relies (e.g., with respect to loan sourcing and/or loan servicing). To the extent such service providers experience economic, reputational or other hardships, or otherwise have competing responsibilities, and SIMNA is unable or unwilling to engage replacement or complementary service providers (e.g., if such service providers are affiliated with SIMNA), the Fund’s performance may be adversely impacted. There can be no assurance that such service providers will be available for any length of time, or will be effective in providing services to the Fund, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Fund’s performance.

 

·   Valuation of Private Investments Risk - While the valuation of the Fund’s publicly-traded securities are more readily ascertainable, the Fund’s ownership interest in private investments (including private commercial mortgage loans) are not publicly traded and the Fund will use a third-party pricing service or internal pricing methodologies to provide pricing information for certain private investments. The value of loans, securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable, and the Fund will value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund pursuant to the Valuation Procedures, including to reflect significant events affecting the value of the Fund’s investments. Many of the Fund’s investments, including a number of its mortgage loans may be classified as Level 3 under Topic 820 of the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification, as amended, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”). This means that the Fund’s portfolio valuations will be based on significant unobservable inputs and the Fund’s own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability in question. The Fund expects that inputs into the determination of fair value of the Fund’s portfolio investments will require significant judgment or estimation. Even if observable market data are available, such information may be the result of consensus pricing information or broker quotes, which include a disclaimer that the broker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. The non-binding nature of

 

 14 

 

 

   

consensus pricing and/or quotes accompanied by disclaimers materially reduces the reliability of such information. The Fund expects to retain the services of one or more independent service providers to review the valuation of these loans and securities. The types of factors that the Fund may take into account in determining the fair value of the Fund’s investments generally include, as appropriate, comparison to publicly-traded securities including such factors as yield, maturity and measures of credit quality, the enterprise value of a portfolio company, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, the Fund’s determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these loans and securities existed. The Fund’s net asset value could be adversely affected if the Fund’s determinations regarding the fair value of the Fund’s investments were materially higher than the values that the Fund ultimately realizes upon the disposal of such loans and securities.

 

·    Collateralized Debt Obligations and Collateralized Loan Obligations – The Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), which include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured securities. CBOs and CLOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CBO is a trust that is typically backed by a diversified pool of high risk, below investment grade fixed income securities. –CLOs, CDOs and CBOs bear many of the same risks as other forms of asset-backed securities, including interest rate risk, credit risk and default risk. As they are backed by pools of loans, CLOs also bear similar risks to investing in loans directly. CLOs, CDOs and CBOs issue classes or “tranches” that vary in risk and yield. These instruments may experience substantial losses attributable to loan defaults. Losses caused by defaults on underlying assets are borne first by the holders of subordinate tranches. The Fund’s investment in CLOs, CDOs and CBOs may decrease in market value when an investment experiences defaults or credit impairment, the disappearance of a subordinate tranche, or market anticipation of defaults and investor aversion to these types of securities as a class.

 

·   Foreign Investments Risk − Investments in foreign securities may be riskier than investments in U.S. securities. Differences between the U.S. and foreign regulatory regimes and securities markets, including the less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards of some foreign markets, as well as political and economic developments in foreign countries and regions and the U.S. (including the imposition of sanctions, tariffs, or other governmental restrictions) may affect the value of the Fund’s investments in foreign securities. Changes in currency exchange rates may also adversely affect the Fund’s foreign investments. Certain European countries in which the Fund may invest have recently experienced significant volatility in financial markets and may continue to do so in the future. The impact of the United Kingdom’s intended departure from the European Union, commonly known as “Brexit,” and the potential departure of one or more other countries from the European Union may have significant political and financial consequences for global markets. This may adversely impact Fund performance.

 

·   Derivatives Risk − Derivatives are instruments whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. Derivatives may be riskier than other types of investments because they may be more sensitive to changes in economic or market conditions than other types of investments and could result in losses that significantly exceed the Fund’s original investment. Successful use of derivative instruments by the Fund depends on the Sub-Adviser’s judgment with respect to a number of factors and

 

 15 

 

 

   

the Fund’s performance could be worse and/or more volatile than if it had not used these instruments. In addition, the fluctuations in the value of derivatives may not correlate perfectly with the value of any portfolio assets being hedged, the performance of the asset class to which the Sub-Adviser seeks exposure, or the overall securities markets.

 

·    Leverage Risk − Certain transactions, such as the use of derivatives, may give rise to leverage. Leverage can increase market exposure, magnify investment risks, and cause losses to be realized more quickly. Leverage may also cause the Fund to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions to satisfy its obligations or to meet asset segregation requirements when it may not be advantageous to do so.

 

·   Forward Currency Contracts Risk − A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The market value of a forward currency contract fluctuates with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. While forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the value of foreign securities, they do allow the Fund to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. Use of such contracts, therefore, can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain. The Fund could also lose money when the contract is settled. The Fund’s gains from its positions in forward foreign currency contracts may accelerate and/or recharacterize the Fund’s income or gains and its distributions to shareholders. The Fund’s losses from such positions may also recharacterize the Fund’s income and its distributions to shareholders and may cause a return of capital to Fund shareholders. Such acceleration or recharacterization could affect an investor’s tax liability.

 

·     Illiquid and Restricted Securities Risk - Subject to the requirements of Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid securities. The Fund may also invest in restricted securities. Investments in restricted securities could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities, including but not limited to if qualified institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase these securities.

 

Illiquid and restricted securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Fund believes it is desirable to do so. The market price of illiquid and restricted securities generally is more volatile than that of more liquid securities, which may adversely affect the price that the Fund pays for or recovers upon the sale of such securities. Illiquid and restricted securities are also more difficult to value, especially in challenging markets. The Adviser’s and/or Sub-Adviser’s judgment may play a greater role in the valuation process. Investment of the Fund’s assets in illiquid and restricted securities may restrict the Fund’s ability to take advantage of market opportunities. To dispose of an unregistered security, the Fund, where it has contractual rights to do so, may have to cause such security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the time the security is registered, thereby enabling the Fund to sell it. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities vary in length and scope and are generally the result of a negotiation between the issuer and acquirer of the securities. In either case, the Fund would bear market risks during that period. Liquidity risk may impact the Fund’s ability to meet shareholder repurchase requests and as a result, the Fund may be forced to sell securities at inopportune prices.

 

·   Liquidity Risk − The risk that the market for a particular investment or type of investment is or becomes relatively illiquid, making it difficult for the Fund to sell that investment at an advantageous time or price. Illiquidity may be due to events relating to the issuer of the securities, market events, rising interest rates, economic conditions or investor perceptions. Illiquid securities may be difficult

 

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to value and their value may be lower than the market price of comparable liquid securities, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance.

 

·   Active Investment Management Risk − The risk that, if the Sub-Adviser’s investment strategy does not perform as expected, the Fund could underperform its peers or lose money.

 

·   Event Risk − Event risk is the risk that corporate issuers may undergo restructurings, such as mergers, leveraged buyouts, takeovers, or similar events financed by increased debt. As a result of the added debt, the credit quality and market value of a company’s bonds and/or other debt securities may decline significantly.

 

·   U.S. Government Securities Risk − Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. In addition, the value of U.S. Government securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government. U.S. Government securities are also subject to the risk that the U.S. Treasury will be unable to meet its payment obligations.

 

      In addition, U.S. government securities issued by U.S. government sponsored entities, including those issued by FNMA and FHLMC, are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. FNMA and FHLMC have been operating under conservatorship, with the Federal Housing Finance Administration (“FHFA”) acting as their conservator, since September 2008. The entities are dependent upon the continued support of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and FHFA in order to continue their business operations. These factors, among others, could affect the future status and role of FNMA and FHLMC and the value of their securities and the securities which they guarantee.

 

·   Rule 144A Securities Risk − Rule 144A securities are subject to the risk that they may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund prefers.

 

·   To Be Announced (TBA) Transactions Risk − TBA investments include when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments. TBA transactions involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. The Fund is subject to this risk whether or not the Fund takes delivery of the securities on the settlement date for a transaction. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund loses both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price. The Fund may also take a short position in a TBA investment when it owns or has the right to obtain, at no added cost, identical securities. If the Fund takes such a short position, it may reduce the risk of a loss if the price of the securities declines in the future, but will lose the opportunity to profit if the price rises.

 

·   Repurchase Agreements Risk – The Fund may enter into certain types of repurchase agreements or purchase and sale contracts. Under a repurchase agreement, the seller agrees to repurchase a security (typically a security issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government) at a mutually agreed upon time and price. This insulates the Fund from changes in the market value of the security during

 

 17 

 

 

   

the period. A purchase and sale contract is similar to a repurchase agreement, but purchase and sale contracts provide that the purchaser receives any interest on the security paid during the period. If the seller fails to repurchase the security in either situation and the market value declines, the Fund may lose money.

 

·   Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk − Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price. The Fund could also lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of any collateral held or assets segregated by the Fund to cover the transaction is less than the value of securities. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may increase the possibility of fluctuation in the Fund’s net asset value.

 

·   High Yield Investments Risk - High yield investments rated below investment grade (also referred to as “junk bonds”) are considered to be speculative and are subject to heightened credit risk, which may make the Fund more sensitive to adverse developments in the U.S. and abroad. Lower rated debt securities generally involve greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than higher rated debt securities. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate more than higher quality securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty. There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular debt securities, which may make them more difficult to value or sell.

     
   

·   Distributions - The Fund’s distributions may include a return of capital, thus reducing a shareholder’s cost basis in his or her Fund shares and reducing the amount of capital available to the Fund for investment and likely increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. A shareholder who receives a return of capital distribution may be subject to tax upon the sale of the shareholder’s shares even though the shareholder has experienced a net loss on his or her investment in the Fund. Any capital returned to shareholders through distributions will be distributed after the payment of fees and expenses. Shareholders who periodically receive payment of a distribution consisting of a return of capital may be under the impression that they are receiving net income or profits when they are not. A return of capital to Shareholders is a return of a portion of their original investment in the Fund. Shareholders should not assume that the source of a distribution from the Fund is net income or profit.

 

·   New Fund Risk - The Fund is a newly organized, diversified, closed-end management investment company with limited operating history. As a result, the Fund’s performance may not reflect how the Fund may be expected to perform over the long term.  In addition, prospective investors have a limited track record and history on which to base their investment decisions.

 

·   Securities Lending Risk - The Fund may engage in securities lending. The Fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for loaned securities or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund.

 

·   Valuation Risks - Investors who purchase shares of the Fund on, or whose repurchase requests are valued on, days when the Fund is holding instruments that have been fair valued may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher repurchase proceeds than they would have received if the instruments had not been fair valued or if the Fund had employed an alternate valuation methodology. Such risks may be more pronounced in a rising interest rate

 

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environment, and, to the extent the Fund holds a significant percentage of fair valued or otherwise difficult to value securities, it may be particularly susceptible to the risks associated with valuation. For additional information about valuation determinations, see “Determination of Net Asset Value” below. Portions of the Fund’s portfolio that are fair valued or difficult to value vary from time to time. The Fund’s shareholder reports (when available) contain detailed information about the Fund’s holdings that are fair valued or difficult to value, including values of such holdings as of the dates of the reports.

 

·   Non-Listed Closed-End Interval Fund; Liquidity Risks - The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company operating as an “interval fund” and designed primarily for long-term investors. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly known as mutual funds) because investors in a closed-end fund do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis. Unlike most closed-end funds, which typically list their shares on a securities exchange, the Fund does not currently intend to list the Shares for trading on any securities exchange, and the Fund does not expect any secondary market to develop for the Shares in the foreseeable future. Therefore, an investment in the Fund, unlike an investment in a typical closed-end fund, is not a liquid investment. The Fund is not intended to be a typical traded investment. Although the Fund, as a fundamental policy, will make quarterly offers to repurchase at least 5% and up to 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV, the number of Shares tendered in connection with a repurchase offer may exceed the number of Shares the Fund has offered to repurchase, in which case not all of your Shares tendered in that offer will be repurchased. In connection with any given repurchase offer, it is possible that the Fund may offer to repurchase only the minimum amount of 5% of its outstanding Shares. Hence, you may not be able to sell your Shares when or in the amount that you desire.

     
    Accordingly, the Fund should be considered a speculative investment that entails substantial risks, and prospective investors should invest in the Fund only if they can sustain a complete loss of their investment.
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SUMMARY OF FEES AND EXPENSES

 

The following table illustrates the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts or waivers if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Class A shares of the Fund. More information about these and other discounts or waivers is available from your financial professional, in the section “Sales Charges—Class A Shares” on pages ____ of the Prospectus, and in Appendix A—Waivers and Discounts Available from Intermediaries.

 

SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES CLASS A CLASS I Class SDR
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases 3.00% None None
Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None(1) None None

ANNUAL FUND EXPENSES(2)

(as a percentage of average net assets attributable to Shares (i.e., common shares))

     
Management Fee      
Total Other Expenses(3)      
Interest Expenses(4)      
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees x.xx% None None
Other Expenses      
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses      
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(5)      
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(5)      

 

(1)There is no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of $1 million or more, however, a contingent deferred sales charge of up to 1.00% may be imposed if such Class A shares are repurchased within eighteen (18) months of their purchase.

 

(2)Assumes the Fund raises $[      ] in proceeds in the fiscal year ending October 31, 2019, resulting in estimated average net assets of approximately $[      ].

 

(3)Other expenses include accounting, legal and auditing fees of the Fund, as well as the reimbursement of the compensation of administrative personnel and fees payable to the Independent Trustees. The amount presented in the table estimates the amounts the Fund expects to pay during the year ending [____________, 2020], assuming the Fund raises $[      ] of proceeds during that time.

 

(4)These expenses represent an estimate of interest payments the Fund expects to incur in connection with its use of reverse repurchase agreement transactions.

 

(5)The Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse expenses (exclusive of any taxes, interest on borrowings, dividends on securities sold short, brokerage commissions, fees associated with the sourcing of loans acquired by the Fund, acquired fund fees and expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization and extraordinary expenses) to the extent necessary to maintain total annual fund operating expenses as follows: ___% (Class A), ___% (Class I), and ___% (Class SDR). This contractual arrangement will remain in effect until February 28, 2021 unless the Fund’s Board of Trustees approves its earlier termination. The Adviser can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual fee waivers or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Adviser (a) occurs within three years after the Adviser’s own waiver or reimbursement and (b) does not cause the operating expenses of a class to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or the time of the recoupment.

 

Example:

 

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in the Fund. In calculating the following expense amounts, the Fund has assumed its direct and indirect annual operating expenses would remain at the percentage levels set forth in the table above (except that the example incorporates the expense reimbursement arrangement for only the first year).

 

An investor would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5.0% annual return:

 

Share Class

1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Class A $ $ $ $
Class I $ $ $ $
Class SDR $ $ $ $

 

The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of the Fund’s future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. While the example assumes a 5.0% annual return, the Fund’s performance

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will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5.0%. For a more complete description of the various fees and expenses borne directly and indirectly by the Fund, see “Fund Expenses” and “Management Fee.”

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Because the Fund has not yet commenced operations, no financial highlight information is available for the Fund.

 

THE FUND

 

The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that is registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund is operated as an “interval fund” and continuously offers its Shares. The Fund was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 22, 2019 and has a limited operating history. The principal office of the Fund is located at 690 Lee Road, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087.

 

THE ADVISER

 

Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC, 690 Lee Road, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087, an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act, serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser is responsible for the management of the Fund and supervises the activities of the investment sub-adviser described below.  The Adviser is an indirect subsidiary of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (“The Hartford”), a Connecticut-based financial services company. Excluding affiliated funds of funds, as of June 30, 2019, the Adviser and its wholly owned subsidiary, Lattice Strategies LLC, had approximately $_____ billion in discretionary and non-discretionary assets under management.

 

THE SUB-ADVISER

 

Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. (“SIMNA”) serves as the Fund’s sub-adviser. SIMNA is responsible for the daily investment activities for the Fund. SIMNA (itself and its predecessors) has been an investment manager since 1962, and also serves as investment adviser to mutual funds and a broad range of institutional investors. Schroders plc, SIMNA’s ultimate parent, is a global asset management company with approximately $553 billion under management as of March 31, 2019. Schroders plc and its affiliates (“Schroders”) have clients that are major financial institutions including banks and insurance companies, public and private pension funds, endowments and foundations, high net worth individuals, financial intermediaries and retail investors. Schroders plc has one of the largest networks of offices of any dedicated asset management company with numerous portfolio managers and analysts covering the world’s investment markets. SIMNA’s address is 7 Bryant Park, New York, New York 10018.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The proceeds from the sale of Shares are invested by the Fund to pursue its investment program and strategies. The Fund currently intends to fully invest substantially all of the net proceeds of its continuous offering in accordance with its investment objectives and policies within three months after receipt thereof. However, certain investments may be delayed up to an additional three months if suitable investments are unavailable at the time or for other reasons, such as market volatility and lack of liquidity in the markets of suitable investments.

 

There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to sell all the Shares it is offering. If the Fund sells only a portion of the Shares it is offering, the Fund may be unable to achieve its investment objective.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND STRATEGIES

 

Investment Objective

 

The Fund seeks to provide current income and long-term total return consistent with preservation of capital. [The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board without approval of the shareholders of the Fund. The Fund’s prospectus will be updated prior to any change in the Fund’s investment objective.]

 

Investment Opportunities and Strategies

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in U.S. and foreign fixed and floating rate securitized credit instruments and various types of loan investments. Securitized credit instruments include commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), asset-backed securities (“ABS”), agency and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and uniform mortgage-backed securities (“UMBS”). Agency MBS and Agency CMBS are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises, including the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”). Credit instruments in which the Fund may invest also include interests in mortgage and mezzanine loans and/or whole loan pools of mortgages, including commercial mortgage

 

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loans and other commercial real-estate assets secured by properties. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in loan investments. The loans in which the Fund will invest will generally be diversified by property type, geography and borrower, and secured by properties primarily in the office, retail, single-family rental, multifamily, industrial and hospitality properties sectors. The Fund may invest in the following loan types: senior first mortgage loans, junior participations in first lien mortgage loans with a senior/subordinate structure (“B-notes”), mezzanine loans, bridge loans and single-family rental loans. The Fund’s investments may include exposure to both senior and subordinated tranches of each of the types of securitized credit instruments discussed above. The Fund may originate loans, including, residential and/or commercial real estate or mortgage-related loans, consumer loans or other types of loans, which may be in the form of whole loans, secured and unsecured notes, senior and second lien loans, mezzanine loans or similar investments.

 

Although the Fund may invest in securities of any maturity or duration, the Fund expects to maintain a dollar weighted average duration of 3 years or less under normal market conditions. Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of a fixed income security’s price to changes in interest rates. For example, if a portfolio has a duration of three years, and interest rates increase (fall) by 1%, the portfolio would decline (increase) in value by approximately 3%. However, duration may not accurately reflect the true interest rate sensitivity of instruments held by the Fund and, therefore the Fund’s exposure to changes in interest rates. The Fund’s average duration measure will incorporate a bond’s yield, coupon, final maturity, and the effect of derivatives that may be used to manage the Fund’s interest rate risk.

 

The Fund may invest without limit in mortgage-related high-yield instruments rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in non-U.S. securities, which may include non-U.S. dollar denominated foreign mortgage-related securities. The Fund may invest in Rule 144A securities and mortgage dollar rolls, and may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis through the “to-be-announced” (“TBA”) market. The Fund may use forward currency contracts to hedge currency risk and may engage in repurchase and reverse repurchase agreement transactions. The Fund may also use leverage (i.e., borrow through the use of reverse repurchase transactions or derivatives transactions or through a bank) as part of the portfolio management process, subject to the limits of the 1940 Act.

 

In addition to the investments discussed above, the Fund may invest in other instruments, which may include bonds, debt instruments, equity securities and preferred stock and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public or private sector entities. The Fund may invest in securities and other instruments of emerging market issuers. The below investment grade securities in which the Fund may invest are securities rated “Ba” or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., “BB” or lower by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or “BB” or lower by Fitch, Inc. or are rated equivalently by another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization or securities, if unrated, that are determined by the Fund’s Sub-Adviser to be of comparable below investment grade quality. The Fund may invest in derivative instruments including options, futures contracts, options on futures, fixed-income swap agreements, credit default swap agreements, and currency related derivatives, including currency forwards and currency swaps, subject to applicable law. The Fund typically uses derivatives to seek to reduce exposure or other risks such as interest rate or currency risk, to substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset, and/or to enhance returns in the Fund. The Fund may also, subject to the limits of the 1940 Act, invest in other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds.

 

The asset-backed securities in which the Fund may invest include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, and automobile and utilities receivables. The Fund may also invest in uniform mortgage-backed securities issued pursuant to the Single Security Initiative, a joint undertaking by FNMA and FHLMC under the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to develop a common securitization platform. The Single Security Initiative launched in June 2019.

 

The Sub-Adviser uses a research oriented, value-driven approach to investment and seeks to diversify credit risk and access sectors with the strongest fundamentals over the course of a credit cycle. The Sub-Adviser seeks to add value at different points in the credit cycle by capitalizing on inefficiencies within and among the financing markets for assets, including cyclical opportunities, and opportunities driven by regulation. In general, the Fund seeks to benefit from various risk premiums found within the securitized debt markets, capturing value through security selection, sector rotation and issue specific selection. In addition, the Sub-Adviser also considers certain environmental, social and/or governance (ESG) factors when assessing investment opportunities as long as those factors are consistent with the Fund’s investment strategy.

 

Portfolio Composition

 

The Fund’s portfolio will consist primarily of:

 

Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are securities backed by a pool of some underlying asset, including but not limited to home equity loans, installment sale contracts, credit card receivables or other assets. Asset-backed securities are “pass-through” securities, meaning that principal and interest payments — net of expenses — made by the borrower on the underlying assets (such as credit card receivables) are passed through to the Fund. The value of asset-backed securities, like that of traditional fixed income securities, typically increases when interest rates fall and decreases when interest rates rise. However, asset-backed securities differ

 

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from traditional fixed income securities because of their potential for prepayment. The price paid by the Fund for its asset-backed securities, the yield the Fund expects to receive from such securities and the average life of the securities are based on a number of factors, including the anticipated rate of prepayment of the underlying assets. In a period of declining interest rates, borrowers may prepay the underlying assets more quickly than anticipated, thereby reducing the yield to maturity and the average life of the asset-backed securities. Moreover, when the Fund reinvests the proceeds of a prepayment in these circumstances, it will likely receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the security that was prepaid.

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities. CMBS are fixed income instruments that are secured by mortgage loans on commercial real property. CMBS typically take the form of multi-class debt or pass-through certificates secured by mortgage loans on commercial properties. They generally are structured to provide protection to investors in senior tranches against potential losses on the underlying mortgage loans. Such protection generally is provided by causing holders of subordinated classes of securities (“Subordinated CMBS”) to take the first loss in the event of defaults on the underlying commercial mortgage loans. Other protection, which may benefit all of the classes or particular classes, may include issuer guarantees, reserve funds, additional Subordinated CMBS, cross-collateralization and over-collateralization. The Fund may invest in CMBS of any credit quality, including, without limitation, Subordinated CMBS, CMBS that are rated below investment grade or are unrated and CMBS that are in default.

 

Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities. RMBS are fixed income instruments that may be secured by interests in a single residential mortgage loan or a pool of mortgage loans secured by residential property. The Fund may purchase, without limitation, RMBS that may be senior, subordinate, interest-only, principal-only, investment-grade, non-investment grade, unrated or in default. The Fund acquires RMBS from private originators as well as from government sponsored entities such as GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC and other mortgage loan investors, including savings and loan associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, finance companies and investment banks. The credit quality of any RMBS issue depends primarily on the credit quality of the underlying mortgage loans. The investment characteristics of RMBS differ from traditional debt securities. Among the major differences are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently, usually monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at any time because the underlying residential mortgage loans or other assets generally may be prepaid at any time.

 

Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund may also invest in uniform mortgage-backed securities issued pursuant to the Single Security Initiative, a joint undertaking by FNMA and FHLMC under the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to develop a common securitization platform. The Single Security Initiative launched in June 2019.

 

Commercial Mortgage Loans. The Fund may invest in commercial mortgage loans, including the following types: senior first mortgage loans, B-notes, mezzanine loans, bridge loans and single-family rental loans.

 

·Senior First Mortgage Loans

A senior loan is generally secured by a first mortgage lien on a commercial property and may bear interest at a fixed or floating rate.

 

·B-Notes

A B-note loan is the junior participation in a first lien mortgage loan with a senior / subordinate structure. B-notes are subordinate to the senior portion of the loan, but senior to the owner’s equity.

 

·Mezzanine Loans

Mezzanine loans customarily take the form of loans secured by a pledge of the ownership interests of either the entity owning the property or an entity that owns a direct or indirect interest in the entity owning the property. These loans are subordinate to senior and subordinate mortgage loans, but senior to the owner’s equity.

 

·Bridge Loans

Bridge loans, typically first lien, serve as the bridge to a permanent loan upon property stabilization. These loans often bear interest at floating rates. Characteristics typically include substantial cash equity on the part of the borrower, a low leverage point and a proven operator.

 

·Single-Family Rental Loans

Single-family rental loans comprise financing to local operators secured by no fewer than five single-family rental properties (which are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted). Such local operators will typically manage less than 200 properties.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. A CMO is a multi-class bond backed by a pool of mortgage pass-through certificates or mortgage loans. CMOs may be collateralized by (i) GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC pass-through certificates; (ii) unsecuritized mortgage loans insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs; (iii) unsecuritized conventional mortgages; (iv) other MBS; or (v) any combination thereof. Each class of a CMO, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific coupon rate and has a stated maturity

 

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or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on collateral underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired substantially earlier than its stated maturity or final distribution date. The principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among the several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. One or more tranches of a CMO may have coupon rates that reset periodically at a specified increment over an index, such as LIBOR (or sometimes more than one index). These floating rate CMOs typically are issued with lifetime caps on the coupon rate thereon. The Fund does not intend to invest in CMO residuals, which represent the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the payments of interest and principal on the tranches issued by the CMO and the payment of administrative expenses and management fees.

 

Subordinated Debt, Senior Debt and Preferred Securities of Banks and Diversified Financial Companies. Subordinated debt securities, sometimes also called “junior debt” or “sub-debt,” are debt securities for which the issuer’s obligations to make principal and interest payment are secondary to the issuer’s payment obligations to more senior debt securities. Such investments will consist primarily of debt issued by community banks or savings institutions (or their holding companies), which are subordinated to senior debt issued by the banks and deposits held by the bank, but are senior to trust preferred obligations, preferred stock, and common stock issued by the bank. To a lesser extent, the Fund may also invest in similar securities of other U.S. and non-U.S. financial services companies of any size. These companies may include, but are not limited to, banks, thrifts, finance companies, brokerage and advisory firms, insurance companies and financial holding companies. Many subordinated debt securities may be unrated and some may be considered high-yield securities or “junk bonds.” See “High Yield Securities.” Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return and are subject to many of the risks associated with debt securities, as well as issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. A company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt.

 

Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs). The Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), which include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured securities. CBOs and CLOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CBO is a trust that is typically backed by a diversified pool of high risk, below investment grade fixed income securities. The collateral can be from many different types of fixed income securities such as high yield debt, residential privately issued mortgage-related securities, commercial privately issued mortgage-related securities, trust preferred securities and emerging market debt. A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. Other CDOs are trusts backed by other types of assets representing obligations of various parties. CDOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses. For CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to insulate the other, more senior tranches from a certain amount of defaults in the underlying asset pools. Since they are partially insulated from defaults, senior tranches from a CBO trust, CLO trust or trust of another CDO typically have higher ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the insulation from loss provided by the equity tranche, CBO, CLO or other CDO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches and market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CBO, CLO or other CDO securities as a class.

 

Direct Lending. The Fund may invest in directly originated first lien senior secured loans (including “unitranche” loans, which are loans that combine both senior and mezzanine debt, generally in a first lien position), second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt, which in some cases includes an equity component, of U.S. and foreign middle-market companies, where the Sub-Adviser believes the supply of primary capital is limited and the investment opportunities are most attractive. These investments are typically made to companies with annual EBITDA between $[10] million and $[250] million. As used herein, EBITDA represents net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization.

 

Loan Origination. The Fund may originate loans, including, residential and/or commercial real estate or mortgage-related loans, consumer loans or other types of loans, which may be in the form of whole loans, secured and unsecured notes, senior and second lien loans, mezzanine loans or similar investments. The Fund may originate loans to corporations and/or other legal entities and individuals. Such borrowers may have credit ratings that are determined by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations or the Sub-Adviser to be below investment grade. The loans the Fund originates may vary in maturity and/or duration. The Fund is not limited in the size or type of loans it may originate, including with respect to a single borrower or with respect to borrowers that are determined to be below investment grade; however the Fund may only invest up to 35% of its assets in loan investments. The Fund’s origination of loans may also be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company. The Fund will retain all, or an applicable pro rata portion of, fees received in connection with originating or structuring the terms of any such loan. In determining whether to make a direct loan, the Fund will rely primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower and/or any collateral for payment of interest and repayment of principal. In making a direct loan, the Fund is exposed to the risk that the borrower may default or become insolvent and, consequently, that the Fund will lose money on the loan. Furthermore, direct loans may subject the Fund to liquidity and interest rate risk and certain direct loans may be deemed illiquid. Direct loans are not publicly traded and may not have a secondary market. The lack of a secondary market for direct loans may have an adverse impact on the ability of the Fund to dispose of a direct loan and/or to value the direct loan. When engaging in direct lending, the Fund’s performance may depend, in part, on the ability of the

 

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Fund to originate loans on advantageous terms. In originating and purchasing loans, the Fund will compete with a broad spectrum of lenders. Increased competition for, or a diminishment in the available supply of, qualifying loans could result in lower yields on such loans, which could reduce Fund performance. [As part of its lending activities, the Fund may originate loans (including subprime loans) to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings] or that are rated “below investment grade” by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Although the terms of such financing may result in significant financial returns to the Fund, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful financing to companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. Different types of assets may be used as collateral for the Fund’s loans and, accordingly, the valuation of and risks associated with such collateral will vary by loan. There is no assurance that the Fund will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing the Fund’s loans or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a company that the Fund funds, the Fund may lose all or part of the amounts advanced to the borrower or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the loan advanced by the Fund or its affiliates to the borrower. Furthermore, in the event of a default by a borrower, the Fund may have difficulty disposing of the assets used as collateral for a loan. Various state licensing requirements could apply to the Fund with respect investments in, or the origination and servicing of loans and similar assets. The licensing requirements could apply depending on the location of the borrower, the location of the collateral securing the loan, or the location where the Fund or the Adviser operates or has offices. In states in which it is licensed, the Fund or the Adviser will be required to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including consumer protection and anti-fraud laws, which could impose restrictions on the Fund’s or Adviser’s ability to take certain actions to protect the value of its investments in such assets and impose compliance costs. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could lead to, among other penalties, a loss of the Fund’s or Adviser’s license, which in turn could require the Fund to divest assets located in or secured by real property located in that state. These risks will also apply to issuers and entities in which the Fund invests that hold similar assets, as well as any origination company or servicer in which the Fund owns an interest. If the Fund is required to be licensed in any particular jurisdiction in order to originate, acquire, hold, dispose or foreclose loans, obtaining the required license may not be viable (because, for example, it is not possible or practical) and the Fund may be unable to restructure its holdings to address the licensing requirement. In that case, the Fund may be forced to cease activities involving the affected loans, or may be forced to sell such loans. If a state regulator or court were to determine that the Fund acquired, held or foreclosed a loan without a required state license, the Fund could be subject to penalties or other sanctions, prohibited or restricted in its ability to enforce its rights under the loan, or subject to litigation risk or other losses or damages.

 

High Yield Securities. The Fund may invest in below investment grade bonds of corporate issuers. These “high-yield” securities (also known as “junk bonds”) may be any security or loan with a long-term credit rating of “Ba” or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), “BB” or lower by Standard and Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or “BB” or lower by Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”), as well as any security or loan that is unrated but determined by the Sub-Adviser to be of comparable quality. There is no minimum credit quality for securities in which the Fund may invest. The Fund will not acquire defaulted bonds of corporate issuers but may hold such securities in the event that a corporate issuer defaults.

 

Derivatives. Derivatives, which are instruments that have a value based on another instrument, exchange rate or index, may be used as substitutes for securities in which the Fund can invest. The Fund uses derivatives to gain or adjust exposure to markets, sectors, securities and currencies and to manage exposure to risks relating to creditworthiness, interest rate spreads, volatility and changes in yield curves. In certain market environments, the Fund may use interest rate swaps and futures contracts to help protect its portfolio from interest rate risk. The Fund may also utilize foreign currency transactions, including currency options and forward currency contracts, to hedge non-U.S. Dollar investments or to establish or adjust exposure to particular foreign securities, markets or currencies.

 

Foreign Investments. The Fund may invest in foreign issuers and borrowers, which include: (1) companies organized outside of the United States, including in emerging market countries; (2) foreign sovereign governments and their agencies, authorities, instrumentalities and political subdivisions, including foreign states, provinces or municipalities; and (3) issuers and borrowers whose economic fortunes and risks are primarily linked with markets outside the United States. These securities may be denominated, quoted in, or pay income in, U.S. dollars or in a foreign currency. The Fund is not limited in the amount of assets it may invest in such foreign investments.

 

Residential Loans and Mortgages. The Fund may acquire residential loans and mortgages (including through participations, assignments and whole loans) from third-party mortgage originators. The Fund may purchase residential loans and mortgages from a variety of geographical locations and such loans and mortgages may be of any credit quality, including, without limitation, instruments that are rated below investment grade or are unrated and instruments that are in default.

 

U.S. Government Securities. The Fund may invest in U.S. Government securities. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance

 

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can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. In addition, the value of U.S. Government securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government. U.S. Government securities are also subject to the risk that the U.S. Treasury will be unable to meet its payment obligations.

 

To Be Announced (TBA) Transactions. TBA investments include when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments. TBA transactions involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. The Fund is subject to this risk whether or not the Fund takes delivery of the securities on the settlement date for a transaction. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund loses both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price. The Fund may also take a short position in a TBA investment when it owns or has the right to obtain, at no added cost, identical securities. If the Fund takes such a short position, it may reduce the risk of a loss if the price of the securities declines in the future, but will lose the opportunity to profit if the price rises.

 

Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into certain types of repurchase agreements (including reverse repurchase agreements) or purchase and sale contracts. A repurchase agreement is an agreement between two parties whereby one party sells the other a security at a specified price with a commitment to repurchase the security later at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. A reverse repurchase agreement is a term used to describe the opposite side of a repurchase transaction and represents a form of borrowing. The party that purchases and later resells a security is said to perform a repurchase; the other party, that sells and later repurchases a security is said to perform a reverse repurchase. The Fund is permitted to enter into fully collateralized repurchase agreements. A purchase and sale contract is similar to a repurchase agreement, but purchase and sale contracts provide that the purchaser receives any interest on the security paid during the period. If the seller fails to repurchase the security in either situation and the market value declines, the Fund may lose money.

 

Forward Currency Contracts. A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The market value of a forward currency contract fluctuates with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. While forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the value of foreign securities, they do allow the Fund to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. Use of such contracts, therefore, can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain.

 

Leverage

 

The Fund may use leverage to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund is permitted to obtain leverage using any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including through funds borrowed from banks or other financial institutions (i.e., a credit facility), margin facilities, or the issuance of notes in an aggregate amount up to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (or in the case of the issuance of preferred shares, 50% of total assets), including any assets purchased with borrowed money, immediately after giving effect to the leverage. The Fund may also use leverage generated by reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls and similar transactions. The Fund intends to enter into a credit facility during the 12-month period following the date of the Prospectus. The Fund may use leverage opportunistically and may use different types, combinations or amounts of leverage over time, based on the Adviser’s and/or Sub-Adviser’s views concerning market conditions and investment opportunities. The Fund’s strategies relating to its use of leverage may not be successful, and the Fund’s use of leverage will cause the Fund’s NAV to be more volatile than it would otherwise be. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will leverage its assets or, to the extent the Fund does use leverage, what percentage of its assets such leverage will represent.

 

The Investment Process

 

Schroders’ investment strategies employ a research oriented, value-driven approach to investment and seek to diversify credit risk and access sectors with the strongest fundamentals over the course of a credit cycle. The Sub-Adviser seeks to add value at different points in the credit cycle by capitalizing on inefficiencies within and among the financing markets for assets, including cyclical opportunities, and opportunities driven by regulation. In general, the Fund seeks to benefit from various risk premiums found within the securitized debt markets, capturing value through security selection, sector rotation and issue specific selection.

 

The Sub-Adviser analyzes a variety of factors when selecting investments for the Fund, such as collateral quality, credit support, structure and market conditions, all of which are tailored to the unique characteristics of each asset class. The Sub-Adviser will seek to hold a portfolio with a range of position sizes, geography, ratings, duration, structure and collateral values. Although the Sub-Adviser may invest in securities and private commercial real estate loans of any maturity or duration, the Fund expects to maintain a dollar weighted average duration of 3 years or less under normal market conditions. In constructing the Fund’s portfolio, the Sub-Adviser seeks to limit risk to principal by targeting assets that it considers undervalued.

 

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Portfolio Construction

 

The Sub-Adviser does not structure the Fund’s asset allocation to track the Fund’s benchmark, but positions the portfolio from a current income and total return perspective. The Sub-Adviser has the capability to analyze numerous securitized credit asset classes, including both traditional and non-traditional (ABS, CMBS, private commercial real estate loans, non-agency RMBS, CLOs, etc.). Generally, the relative value of these non-traditional asset classes will be primary drivers of security selection and sector allocation. The Fund’s portfolio management process is continuous and ongoing, resulting in regular performance monitoring and relative-value trading. Forward-looking expectations are re-calibrated given market changes and security performance. The Fund’s portfolio is re-positioned as market conditions and global economic trends warrant. In monitoring, trading, and re-positioning the Fund’s portfolio, the Sub-Adviser will focus primarily on credit and yield optimization.

 

Idea Generation

 

The Fund’s portfolio managers utilize various data sources to generate investment ideas. Most of the “idea generation” and sourcing of potential alpha opportunities (both at the asset class and individual security level and loan) is driven by internal research and analysis. In addition, portfolio managers and analysts regularly monitor market conditions, trade flows, and trade execution. Active market participation provides a strong understanding of current market trends, which leads to formation of immediate views on relative value within the structured fixed income and real estate loan markets, thus generating new investment ideas in real time.

 

Schroders’ investment teams meet frequently to discuss strategies in the context of current market events and their impact on the Fund, and existing approaches to each strategy are affirmed or altered based on these discussions. The Sub-Adviser makes its asset allocation decisions based on its view of macroeconomic trends as well as by identifying opportunities in the capital markets it believes are providing the greatest relative value. Investment opportunities are evaluated on a relative value basis while consideration is also given to liquidity. The portfolio management process involves four main disciplines that form a continuous process, consisting of: (i) strategy and target allocation; (ii) security selection; (iii) sourcing, execution and allocation; and (iv) surveillance and optimization.

 

Research

 

The Sub-Adviser uses a combination of proprietary fundamental and quantitative research to analyze opportunities across the securitized credit spectrum. This discipline is conducted from a bottom-up perspective. The research team’s risk modeling analysis provides a granular focus on seeking to mitigate credit risk and creating a diversified portfolio.

 

Scenario analysis is conducted to help portfolio managers understand how an individual security or loan would perform under a range of economic and capital market conditions. Scenario analysis is completed by applying multiple interest rate, credit, and cash flow assumptions. Once the critical factors for individual security or loan selection have been evaluated, a recommendation is made. The Sub-Adviser also makes use of various third-party analytical systems and uses proprietary models to confirm or eliminate results of non-proprietary models. Portfolio managers and analysts merge the outputs of these analytical models with their own views on future market and economic conditions to generate more qualified pre-purchase assumptions.

 

Investment Policies

 

The Fund will not “concentrate” its investments in a particular industry or group of industries, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder as such may be interpreted or modified from time to time by regulatory authorities having appropriate jurisdiction; except that the Fund will concentrate in mortgage-related investments, which shall include all types of agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities and mortgage-related loans.

 

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TYPES OF INVESTMENTS AND RELATED RISKS

 

Investors should carefully consider the risk factors described below before deciding on whether to make an investment in the Fund.

 

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

 

·Active Investment Management Risk. The risk that, if the investment decisions and strategy of the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser do not perform as expected, the Fund could underperform its peers or lose money. The Fund’s performance depends on the judgment of the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser about a variety of factors, such as markets, interest rates and/or the attractiveness, relative value, liquidity, or potential appreciation of particular investments made for the Fund’s portfolio. The Adviser’s and/or Sub-Adviser’s investment models may not adequately take into account certain factors, may perform differently than anticipated and may result in the Fund having a lower return than if the portfolio managers used another model or investment strategy.

 

The Fund’s Sub-Adviser may consider certain environmental, social and governance factors (ESG) as part of its decision to buy and sell securities. Such consideration may fail to produce the intended result and, as a result, the Fund may underperform funds that are not subject to such assessment.

 

·Call Risk. Call risk is the risk that an issuer, especially during periods of falling interest rates, may redeem a security by repaying it early. If an issuer calls a security in which the Fund has invested, the Fund may not recoup the full amount of its initial investment and may be forced to reinvest in lower-yielding securities, securities with greater credit risks or securities with other, less favorable features. This could potentially lower the Fund’s income, yield and its distributions to shareholders.

 

·Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security or other instrument will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s financial strength, credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.

 

·CLO, Collateralized Debt Obligations (“CDOs”) and Collateralized Bond Obligations (“CBOs”) Risks. CLOs, CDOs, and CBOs are typically privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws, which means less information about the security may be available as compared to publicly offered securities and only certain institutions may buy and sell them. As a result, investments in CLOs, CDOs and CBOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities. An active dealer market may exist for CLOs, CDOs and CBOs that can be resold in Rule 144A transactions, but there can be no assurance that such a market will exist or will be active enough for the Fund to sell such securities. In addition to the typical risks associated with fixed-income securities and asset-backed securities, CLOs, CDOs and CBOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the risk that the collateral may default, decline in value or quality or be downgraded by a rating agency; (iii) the Fund may invest in tranches of CLOs, CDOs and CBOs that are subordinate to other tranches; (iv) the structure and complexity of the transaction and the legal documents could lead to disputes among investors regarding the characterization of proceeds; (v) risk of forced “fire sale” liquidation due to technical defaults such as coverage test failures; and (vi) the CLO’s, CDO’s or CBO’s manager may perform poorly.

 

·Derivatives Risk. The Fund may use derivatives for investment purposes and/or for hedging purposes, including anticipatory hedges. Derivatives are instruments whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. Successful use of derivative instruments by the Fund depends on the Sub-Adviser’s judgment with respect to a number of factors and the Fund’s performance could be worse and/or more volatile than if it had not used these instruments. Derivatives may involve significant risks, including:

 

oCounterparty/Credit Risk − The risk that the counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of the Fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations. The protections available to the Fund in exchange traded derivatives may not be available for over-the-counter transactions.

 

oCurrency Risk − The risk that changes in the exchange rate between currencies will adversely affect the value (in U.S. dollar terms) of an investment.

 

oLeverage Risk − The risk associated with certain types of investments or trading strategies that relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of an investment. Certain investments or trading strategies that involve leverage can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested.

 

oLiquidity Risk − The risk that certain investments may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the seller would like or at the price that the seller believes the security is currently worth, which could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately.

 

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oIndex Risk − If the derivative is linked to the performance of an index, it will be subject to the risks associated with changes in that index. If the index changes, the Fund could receive lower interest payments or experience a reduction in the value of the derivative to below what the Fund paid. Certain indexed securities, including inverse securities (which move in an opposite direction to the index), may create leverage, to the extent that they increase or decrease in value at a rate that is a multiple of the changes in the applicable index. For this reason, the Fund’s investment in these instruments may decline significantly in value if index levels move in a way that is not anticipated.

 

oRegulatory Risk − Government legislation or regulation may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the use, value or performance of derivatives.

 

oShort Position Risk − The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss.

 

oTax Risk − The tax treatment of a derivative may not be as favorable as a direct investment in the underlying asset. The use of derivatives may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments, and could impair the ability of the Sub-Adviser to use derivatives when it wishes to do so.

 

·Forward Currency Contracts Risk. A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts in connection with settling purchases or sales of securities, to hedge the currency exposure associated with some or all of the Fund’s investments or as part of its investment strategy. The market value of a forward currency contract fluctuates with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the value of foreign securities but allow the Fund to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. Forward currency contracts involve the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted, which could result in losses on those contracts and additional transaction costs. Use of such contracts, therefore, can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain. The Fund could also lose money when the contract is settled. The Fund’s gains from its positions in forward foreign currency contracts may accelerate and/or recharacterize the Fund’s income or gains and its distributions to shareholders. The Fund’s losses from such positions may also recharacterize the Fund’s income and its distributions to shareholders and may cause a return of capital to Fund shareholders. Such acceleration or recharacterization could affect an investor’s tax liability.

 

·Event Risk. Event risk is the risk that corporate issuers may undergo restructurings, such as mergers, leveraged buyouts, takeovers, or similar events financed by increased debt. As a result of the added debt, the credit quality and market value of a company’s bonds and/or other debt securities may decline significantly.

 

·Foreign Investments Risk. Investments in foreign securities may be riskier than investments in U.S. securities and may also be less liquid and more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign investments may be affected by the following:

 

ochanges in currency exchange rates

 

ochanges in foreign or U.S. law or restrictions applicable to such investments and in exchange control regulations

 

oincreased volatility

 

osubstantially less volume on foreign stock markets and other securities markets

 

ohigher commissions and dealer mark-ups

 

oinefficiencies in certain foreign clearance and settlement procedures that could result in an inability to execute transactions or delays in settlement

 

oless uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards

 

oless publicly available information about a foreign issuer or borrower

 

oless government regulation

 

ounfavorable foreign tax laws

 

opolitical, social, economic or diplomatic developments in a foreign country or region or the U.S. (including the imposition of sanctions, tariffs, or other governmental restrictions)

 

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odifferences in individual foreign economies

 

ogeopolitical events that may disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets

 

Governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth. In addition, global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibility that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region.

 

Certain European countries in which the Fund may invest have recently experienced significant volatility in financial markets and may continue to do so in the future. The impact of the United Kingdom’s intended departure from the European Union, commonly known as “Brexit,” and the potential departure of one or more other countries from the European Union may have significant political and financial consequences for global markets. These consequences include greater market volatility and illiquidity, currency fluctuations, deterioration in economic activity, a decrease in business confidence and an increased likelihood of a recession in such markets. Uncertainty relating to the withdrawal procedures and timeline may have adverse effects on asset valuations and the renegotiation of current trade agreements, as well as an increase in financial regulation in such markets. This may adversely impact Fund performance.

 

·High Yield Investments Risk. Although high yield investments (also known as “junk bonds”) generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk, speculative investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. The major risks of junk bond investments include:

 

oJunk bonds may be issued by less creditworthy issuers. Issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. In the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of junk bond holders, leaving few or no assets available to repay junk bond holders.

 

oPrices of junk bonds are subject to extreme price fluctuations. Adverse changes in an issuer’s industry and general economic conditions may have a greater impact on the prices of junk bonds than on other higher rated fixed-income securities.

 

oIssuers of junk bonds may be unable to meet their interest or principal payment obligations because of an economic downturn, specific issuer developments, or the unavailability of additional financing.

 

oJunk bonds frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from the Fund before it matures. If the issuer redeems junk bonds, the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields and may lose income.

 

oJunk bonds may be less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities, even under normal economic conditions. There are fewer dealers in the junk bond market, and there may be significant differences in the prices.

 

oquoted for junk bonds by the dealers. Because they are less liquid, judgment may play a greater role in valuing certain of the Fund’s securities than is the case with securities trading in a more liquid market.

 

oThe Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer.

 

oThe credit rating of a high yield security does not necessarily address its market value risk. Ratings and market value may change from time to time, positively or negatively, to reflect new developments regarding the issuer.

 

·Illiquid and Restricted Securities Risks. Subject to the requirements of Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid securities. The Fund may also invest in restricted securities. Investments in restricted securities could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities including, but not limited to if qualified institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase these securities.

 

Illiquid and restricted securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Fund believes it is desirable to do so. The market price of illiquid and restricted securities generally is more volatile than that of more liquid securities, which may adversely affect the price that the Fund pays for or recovers upon the sale of such securities. Illiquid and restricted securities are also more difficult to value, especially in challenging markets. The Adviser’s and/or Sub-Adviser’s judgment may play a greater role in the valuation process. Investment of the Fund’s assets in illiquid and restricted securities may restrict the Fund’s ability to take advantage of market opportunities. To dispose of an unregistered security, the Fund, where it has contractual rights to do so, may have to cause such security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell

 

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the security and the time the security is registered, thereby enabling the Fund to sell it. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities vary in length and scope and are generally the result of a negotiation between the issuer and acquirer of the securities. In either case, the Fund would bear market risks during that period. Liquidity risk may impact the Fund’s ability to meet shareholder repurchase requests and as a result, the Fund may be forced to sell securities at inopportune prices.

 

Certain instruments are not readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. Instruments may not be listed on any national securities exchange and no active trading market may exist for certain of the instruments in which the Fund will invest. Where a secondary market exists, the market for some instruments may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. In addition, dealer inventories of certain securities are at historic lows in relation to market size, which indicates a potential for reduced liquidity as dealers may be less able to “make markets” for certain securities.

 

·Interest Rate Risk. The risk that your investment may go down in value when interest rates rise, because when interest rates rise, the prices of bonds and fixed rate loans fall. A wide variety of factors can cause interest rates to rise, including central bank monetary policies and inflation rates. Generally, the longer the maturity of a bond or fixed rate loan, the more sensitive it is to this risk. For this reason, the longer the Fund’s average weighted portfolio maturity, the greater the impact a change in interest rates will have on its share price. Falling interest rates may also lead to a decline in the Fund’s income. These risks are greater during periods of rising inflation. Volatility in interest rates and in fixed income markets may increase the risk that the Fund’s investment in fixed income securities will go down in value. A rise in interest rates could also cause investors to rapidly move out of fixed-income securities, which may increase repurchase requests for the Fund and subject the Fund to increased liquidity risk. A substantial increase in interest rates may also have an adverse impact on the liquidity of one or more portfolio securities, especially those with longer maturities.

 

Risks associated with rising interest rates are currently heightened because interest rates remain near historic lows and the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank (“the Fed”) has recently raised, and may continue to raise interest rates. It is possible that the Fed and other central banks continue to raise the federal funds rate and equivalent rates as economic conditions appear to improve. Any such increases will likely cause market interest rates to rise, which will cause the value of the Fund’s fixed income holdings, particularly those with longer maturities, to fall. Any such rate increases may also increase volatility and reduce liquidity in the fixed income markets, which would make it more difficult to sell the Fund’s fixed income investments. Changes in central bank interest rate policies could also result in higher than normal shareholder repurchase requests, which could potentially increase portfolio turnover and the Fund’s transaction costs.

 

·Lender Liability Risk. A number of U.S. judicial decisions have upheld judgments of borrowers against lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories, collectively termed “lender liability”. Generally, lender liability is founded on the premise that a lender has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith, commercial reasonableness and fair dealing, or a similar duty owed to the borrower or has assumed an excessive degree of control over the borrower resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors or shareholders. Because of the nature of its investments, the Fund may be subject to allegations of lender liability.

 

In addition, under common law principles that in some cases form the basis for lender liability claims, if a lender or bondholder: (i) intentionally takes an action that results in the undercapitalization of a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower; (ii) engages in inequitable conduct to the detriment of the other creditors; (iii) engages in fraud with respect to, or makes misrepresentations to, the other creditors; or (iv) uses its influence as a shareholder to dominate or control a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of the borrower, a court may elect to subordinate the claim of the offending lender or bondholder to the claims of the disadvantaged creditor or creditors, a remedy called “equitable subordination”.

 

[Because affiliates of, or persons related to, the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser may hold equity or other interests in obligors of the Fund, the Fund could be exposed to claims for equitable subordination or lender liability or both based on such equity or other holdings.]

 

·Leverage Risk. Certain transactions, including derivatives, to-be-announced investments and other when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment transactions, involve a form of leverage. Transactions involving leverage provide investment exposure in an amount exceeding the initial investment. Leverage can increase market exposure, magnify investment risks, and cause losses to be realized more quickly. Certain derivatives have the potential to cause unlimited losses for the Fund, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Leverage may also cause the Fund’s NAV to be more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged, as relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of a leveraged investment. To reduce the risk associated with leveraging, the Fund may “set aside” liquid assets (often referred to as “asset segregation”), or otherwise “cover” its position in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the SEC’s positions regarding asset segregation. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions to satisfy its obligations or to meet asset segregation requirements when it may not be advantageous to do so.

 

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·Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when the markets for particular investments or types of investments are or become relatively illiquid so that it is difficult or impossible for the Fund to sell the investment at the price at which the Fund has valued it. Illiquidity may result from political, economic or issuer specific events; changes in a specific market’s size or structure, including the number of participants; or overall market disruptions. Securities with reduced liquidity or that become illiquid involve greater risk than securities with more liquid markets. If the Fund and its affiliates hold a significant portion of a single issuer’s outstanding securities, the Fund may be subject to greater liquidity risk than if the issuer’s securities were more widely held.

 

Market quotations for illiquid or less liquid securities may be volatile and/or subject to large spreads between bid and ask prices. Reduced liquidity may have a negative impact on market price and the Fund’s ability to sell particular securities when necessary to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event. In addition, during periods of reduced market liquidity or in the absence of readily available market quotations for particular investments in the Fund’s portfolio, it may be difficult for the Fund to value these investments and it may be necessary to fair value the investments. There can be no assurance that a security’s fair value accurately reflects the price at which the Fund could sell that security at that time, which could affect the proceeds of any repurchase or the number of Fund shares you receive upon purchase.

 

Bond markets have consistently grown over the past three decades while the capacity for traditional dealer counterparties to engage in fixed income trading has not kept pace and in some cases has decreased. As a result, dealer inventories of corporate bonds are at or near historic lows in relation to market size. The significant reduction in dealer inventories could potentially lead to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed income markets. Such issues may be worse during periods of economic uncertainty.

 

·Market Risk. Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Securities or other investments may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally or individual issuers. The value of a security or other investment may change in value due to general market conditions that are not related to a particular issuer, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for revenues or corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The value of a security or other investment may also change in value due to factors that affect an individual issuer, including data breaches and cybersecurity attacks, or a particular sector or industry. During a general downturn in the securities or other markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously. When markets perform well, there can be no assurance that securities or other investments held by the Fund will participate in or otherwise benefit from the advance. Any market disruptions, including those arising out of geopolitical events or natural/environmental disasters, could also prevent the Fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner. Although the Fund generally seeks to reduce the risks related to the equity and fixed income markets, there is no guarantee that the Fund’s strategy will be successful and the Fund is still exposed to overall market risk.

 

·Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain risks, including credit risk and interest rate risk. These investments expose the Fund to “extension risk,” which is the risk that borrowers will repay a loan more slowly in periods of rising interest rates which could increase the interest rate sensitivity of certain investments — such as mortgage- and asset-backed securities — and cause the value of these investments to fall. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, if the Fund holds mortgage-related securities and other asset-backed securities, it may exhibit additional volatility. In addition, adjustable and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities are subject to “prepayment risk.” When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Fund because the Fund may have to reinvest that money at lower prevailing interest rates. The Fund’s investments in other asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-backed securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. These securities are also subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Issuers of asset-backed securities may have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying assets, and credit enhancements provided to support the securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of default. In addition, as a result of its investment in asset-backed securities, the Fund would be subject to the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities. Certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults.

 

CDOs, which are a type of asset-backed security, are subject to heightened risks, including the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; the Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations that are subordinate to other classes and, therefore, will not have primary rights to any payments in bankruptcy; values may be volatile; and disputes with the issuer may produce unexpected investment results. The Fund’s investments in CDOs will not receive the same investor protection as an investment in registered securities. In addition, prices of CDO investments can decline considerably. These types of instruments are frequently referred to as “mortgage derivatives” and are sensitive to changing interest rates and deteriorating credit environments. CDOs may lack of a readily available secondary market and be difficult to sell at the price at which the Fund values them.

 

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The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities issued by the U.S. Government or by non-governmental issuers. To the extent that the Fund invests in mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers, such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers, the Fund may be subject to additional risks. Mortgage-related securities issued by private issuers are subject to the credit risks of the issuers, as well as to interest rate risks. Timely payment of interest and principal of non-governmental issuers is supported by various forms of private insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance purchased by the issuer. There can be no assurance that the private insurers can meet their obligations under the policies. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may adversely affect the value of a mortgage-backed security and could result in losses to the Fund. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include subprime mortgages. Subprime mortgages refer to loans made to borrowers with weakened credit histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their mortgages. Under the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, FNMA and FHLMC have entered into a joint initiative to develop a common securitization platform for the issuance of a uniform mortgage-backed security (the “Single Security Initiative”), which generally aligns the characteristics of FNMA and FHLMC certificates. The Single Security Initiative launched in June 2019, and the effects it may have on the market for mortgage-backed securities are uncertain.

 

oResidential Loans and Mortgages Risk. The Fund may acquire residential loans and mortgages (including through participations, assignments and whole loans) from third-party mortgage originators. In addition to interest rate, default and other risks of fixed income securities, residential loans and mortgages carry additional risks, including the possibility that the quality of the collateral may decline in value and the potential for the liquidity of residential loans and mortgages to vary over time. In addition, in the event that a loan is foreclosed on, the Fund could become the owner (in whole or in part) of any collateral, which may include, among other things, real estate or other real or personal property, and the Fund would bear the costs and liabilities of owning, holding or disposing of such property.

 

The Fund may also experience difficulty disposing of loans, which do not trade in a liquid market and typically can only be sold to a limited universe of institutional investors. The absence of a liquid market for these instruments could adversely impact their value and may inhibit the Fund’s ability to dispose of them at times when it would be desirable to do so, including in response to particular economic events, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. Because they do not trade in a liquid market residential loans may also be difficult for the Fund to value.

 

Investing in loans may subject the Fund to greater levels of credit risk, call risk, settlement risk and liquidity risk than other types of fixed income instruments. Transactions involving loans may also involve greater costs than transactions involving more actively traded securities. In addition, a number of factors, including restrictions on transfers, irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods may make it more difficult for the Fund to acquire, dispose of or accurately price such instruments compared with other types of investments. As a result, the Fund may not be able to realize the full value for loans and there may be extended delays in the Fund’s receipt of proceeds from the sale of a loan, which could adversely impact the Fund’s performance. Because transactions in many loans are subject to extended trade settlement periods, proceeds from the sale of a loan may not be immediately available to the Fund. As a result, proceeds related to the sale of loans may not be available to make additional investments or to meet the Fund’s share repurchase obligations for a period after the sale of the loans, and, as a result, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations.

 

When acquiring residential loans, the Fund generally relies on third-party mortgage originators to originate mortgage loans that comply with applicable law. All mortgage loan originators and brokers are subject to strict and evolving consumer protection laws and other legal obligations with respect to the origination of residential mortgage loans. These laws may be highly subjective and open to interpretation and, as a result, a regulator or court may determine that that there has been a violation where an originator or servicer of mortgage loans reasonably believed that the law or requirement had been satisfied. Failure or alleged failure of originators or servicers to comply with these laws and regulations could subject the Fund, as an assignee or purchaser of these loans or securities backed by these loans, to, among other things, delays in foreclosure proceedings, increased litigation expenses, monetary penalties and defenses to foreclosure, including by recoupment or setoff of finance charges and fees collected, and in some cases could also result in rescission of the affected residential mortgage loans, which could adversely impact the Fund’s business and financial results. While some of these laws may not explicitly hold the Fund responsible for the legal violations of these third parties, federal and state agencies and private litigants have increasingly sought to impose such liability. Various regulators and plaintiffs’ lawyers have also sought to hold assignees of mortgage loans liable for the alleged violations of the originating lender under theories of express or implied assignee liability. Accordingly, the Fund may be subject to fines, penalties or civil liability based upon the conduct of the mortgage lenders that originated the mortgage loans the Fund holds.

 

Despite the Fund’s efforts to manage credit risk related to the residential mortgage loans the Fund acquires, there are many aspects of credit risk that the Fund cannot control. The Fund’s due diligence process may not be effective at preventing or limiting compliance violations or borrower delinquencies and defaults, and the loan servicing companies that service the mortgage loans may not comply with applicable servicing regulations or investor requirements. Prior to acquiring loans,

 

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the Fund will perform due diligence and the Fund will rely on resources and data available to it from the seller, which may be limited. The Fund’s due diligence efforts may not detect matters that could lead to losses. If the Fund’s due diligence processes are not adequate, and the Fund fails to detect certain loan defects or compliance issues related to origination, the Fund may incur losses. The Fund could also incur losses if a counterparty that sold the Fund a loan is unwilling or unable (e.g., due to its financial condition) to repurchase that loan or asset or pay damages to the Fund if the Fund determines subsequent to purchase that one or more of the representations or warranties made to the Fund in connection with the sale was inaccurate. There may be less readily available information about loans and their underlying borrowers than is the case for other types of investments and issuers. In addition, because loans may not be considered “securities,” investors in loans, such as the Fund, may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws, although they may be entitled to certain contractual remedies.

 

The mortgage loans that the Fund purchases, and in which the Fund directly and indirectly invests through RMBS, CMBS or other investments, may be concentrated in a specific state or states. Weak economic conditions in these locations or any other location (which may or may not affect real property values), may affect the ability of borrowers to repay their mortgage loans on time. Properties in certain jurisdictions may be more susceptible than homes located in other parts of the country to certain types of uninsurable hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters. Declines in the residential real estate market of a particular jurisdiction may reduce the values of properties located in that jurisdiction, which would result in an increase in the loan-to-value ratios. Any increase in the market value of properties located in a particular jurisdiction would reduce the loan-to-value ratios of the mortgage loans and could, therefore, make alternative sources of financing available to the borrowers at lower interest rates, which could result in an increased rate of prepayment of the mortgage loans.

 

·Collateralized Loan Obligations Risk. Collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) bear many of the same risks as other forms of asset-backed securities, including interest rate risk, credit risk and default risk. As they are backed by pools of loans, CLOs also bear similar risks to investing in loans directly. CLOs issue classes or “tranches” that vary in risk and yield. CLOs may experience substantial losses attributable to loan defaults. Losses caused by defaults on underlying assets are borne first by the holders of subordinate tranches. The Fund’s investment in CLOs may decrease in market value when the CLO experiences loan defaults or credit impairment, the disappearance of a subordinate tranche, or market anticipation of defaults and investor aversion to CLO securities as a class.

 

·Commercial Mortgage Loans Risk. The Fund may also invest in loans or other investments secured by real estate (other than mortgage-backed securities) and may, as a result of default, foreclosure or otherwise, take possession of and hold real estate as a direct owner. Each of these types of investments are subject, directly or indirectly, to risks associated with ownership of real estate, including changes in the general economic climate or local conditions (such as an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand for space), loss to casualty or condemnation, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, zoning law amendments, changes in interest rates, overbuilding and increased competition, including competition based on rental rates, variations in market value, changes in the financial condition of tenants, changes in operating costs, attractiveness and location of the properties, adverse changes in the real estate markets generally or in specific sectors of the real estate industry and possible environmental liabilities. Real estate-related investments may entail leverage and may be highly volatile. Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest. If the Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments on such indebtedness, the Fund’s share price and yield could be adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured offer the Fund more protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. In the event of the bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations in its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a loan. Private loans are generally illiquid and the Fund may not be able to sell the investments for their market value in a reasonable time or at all. The availability of commercial mortgage loans may at times be limited and SIMNA and/or the service providers upon whom SIMNA relies to help source the loans, which may be affiliates of SIMNA and/or the Fund, may be unable to find a sufficient number of attractive opportunities in which to invest, which may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. The activity of identifying, completing and realizing attractive investments is highly competitive and involves a high degree of uncertainty. The Fund competes for commercial mortgage loan investments with real estate investment vehicles, as well as individuals, publicly-traded mortgage REITs, CMBS issuers, financial institutions (such as mortgage banks, insurance companies and pension funds) and other institutional investors. Additional funds and REITs and other vehicles with similar investment objectives to the Fund may be formed in the future by other unrelated parties. The success of the Fund in locating good commercial mortgage loan investment opportunities depends on the ability of SIMNA, together with the service providers upon whom SIMNA relies to help source the loans, to source investment opportunities for the Fund, to identify suitable investments and to negotiate and arrange the closing of appropriate transactions. Consistent with customary industry practice, fees associated with the sourcing of loans acquired by the Fund through the use of service providers (whether third parties or strategic partners) may be deducted from the loan interest payments made by borrowers prior to those interest payments being remitted to the Fund. As such, the Fund will bear such fees, and such fees are excluded from the Fund’s expense limitation arrangements. Although such fees

 

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may vary from service provider to service provider due to a number of factors, including the nature of the loan type (e.g., senior first mortgage loans, B-notes, mezzanine loans, bridge loans or single-family rental loans), the principal balance and the length of such loans, such fees may range from approximately 0.05% to 0.25% annually on the then current principal balance of each such loan until maturity. Further, there may be a limited number of service providers upon which SIMNA relies (e.g., with respect to loan sourcing and/or loan servicing). To the extent such service providers experience economic, reputational or other hardships, or otherwise have competing responsibilities, and SIMNA is unable to engage replacement or complementary service providers (e.g., if such service providers are affiliated with SIMNA), the Fund’s performance may be adversely impacted. There can be no assurance that such service providers will be available for any length of time, or will be effective in providing services to the Fund, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Fund’s performance.

 

·Valuation of Private Investments Risk. While the valuation of the Fund’s publicly-traded securities are more readily ascertainable, the Fund’s ownership interest in private investments (including private commercial mortgage loans) are not publicly traded and the Fund will use a third party pricing service or internal pricing methodologies to provide pricing information for certain private investments. The value of loans, securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable, and the Fund will value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund pursuant to the Valuation Procedures, including to reflect significant events affecting the value of the Fund’s investments. Many of the Fund’s investments, including a number of its mortgage loans may be classified as Level 3 under Topic 820 of the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification, as amended, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”). This means that the Fund’s portfolio valuations will be based on significant unobservable inputs and the Fund’s own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability in question. The Fund expects that inputs into the determination of fair value of the Fund’s portfolio investments will require significant judgment or estimation. Even if observable market data are available, such information may be the result of consensus pricing information or broker quotes, which include a disclaimer that the broker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. The non-binding nature of consensus pricing and/or quotes accompanied by disclaimers materially reduces the reliability of such information. The Fund expects to retain the services of one or more independent service providers to review the valuation of these loans and securities. The types of factors that the Fund may take into account in determining the fair value of the Fund’s investments generally include, as appropriate, comparison to publicly-traded securities including such factors as yield, maturity and measures of credit quality, the enterprise value of a portfolio company, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, the Fund’s determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these loans and securities existed. The Fund’s net asset value could be adversely affected if the Fund’s determinations regarding the fair value of the Fund’s investments were materially higher than the values that the Fund ultimately realizes upon the disposal of such loans and securities.

 

·Real Estate Related Securities Risk. A Fund may invest in companies that invest in real estate (“Real Estate Companies”), such as real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) or real estate holding companies, which exposes investors to the risks of owning real estate directly, as well as to risks that relate specifically to the way in which Real Estate Companies are organized and operated. Real estate is highly sensitive to general and local economic conditions and developments, and characterized by intense competition and periodic overbuilding. The U.S. residential and commercial real estate markets may and have in the past experienced a decline in value, with certain regions experiencing significant losses in property values. Exposure to such real estate may adversely affect Fund performance.

 

oConcentration Risk – Real Estate Companies may own a limited number of properties and concentrate their investments in a particular geographic region or property type.

 

oEquity REITs Risk – Certain REITs may make direct investments in real estate. These REITs are often referred to as “Equity REITs.” Equity REITs invest primarily in real properties and earn rental income from leasing those properties. Equity REITs may also realize gains or losses from the sale of properties. Equity REITs will be affected by conditions in the real estate rental market and by changes in the value of the properties they own. A decline in rental income may occur because of extended vacancies, limitations on rents, the failure to collect rents, increased competition from other properties or poor management. Equity REITs also can be affected by rising interest rates. Rising interest rates may cause investors to demand a high annual yield from future distributions that, in turn, could decrease the market prices for such REITs. In addition, rising interest rates also increase the costs of obtaining financing for real estate projects. Because many real estate projects are dependent upon receiving financing, this could cause the value of the Equity REITs in which a Fund invests to decline.

 

oInterest Rate Risk – Rising interest rates could result in higher costs of capital for Real Estate Companies, which could negatively affect a Real Estate Company’s ability to meet its payment obligations.

 

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oLeverage Risk – Real Estate Companies may use leverage (and some may be highly leveraged), which increases investment risk and the risks normally associated with debt financing, and could adversely affect a Real Estate Company’s operations and market value in periods of rising interest rates. Financial covenants related to a Real Estate Company’s leveraging may affect the ability of the Real Estate Company to operate effectively. In addition, real property may be subject to the quality of credit extended and defaults by borrowers and tenants. Leveraging may also increase repayment risk.

 

oLiquidity Risk – Investing in Real Estate Companies may involve risks similar to those associated with investing in small-capitalization companies. Real Estate Company securities may be volatile. There may be less trading in Real Estate Company shares, which means that buy and sell transactions in those shares could have a magnified impact on share price, resulting in abrupt or erratic price fluctuations. In addition, real estate is relatively illiquid and, therefore, a Real Estate Company may have a limited ability to vary or liquidate its investments in properties in response to changes in economic or other conditions.

 

oOperational Risk – Real Estate Companies are dependent upon management skills and may have limited financial resources. Real Estate Companies are generally not diversified and may be subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, transactions between Real Estate Companies and their affiliates may be subject to conflicts of interest, which may adversely affect a Real Estate Company’s shareholders. A Real Estate Company may also have joint ventures in certain of its properties and, consequently, its ability to control decisions relating to such properties may be limited.

 

oProperty Risk – Real Estate Companies may be subject to risks relating to functional obsolescence or reduced desirability of properties; extended vacancies due to economic conditions and tenant bankruptcies; catastrophic events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and terrorist acts; and casualty or condemnation losses. Real estate income and values also may be greatly affected by demographic trends, such as population shifts, changing tastes and values, or increasing vacancies or declining rents resulting from legal, cultural, technological, global or local economic developments.

 

oRegulatory Risk – Real estate income and values may be adversely affected by applicable domestic and foreign laws (including tax laws). Government actions, such as tax increases, zoning law changes or environmental regulations also may have a major impact on real estate.

 

oRepayment Risk – The prices of Real Estate Company securities may drop because of the failure of borrowers to repay their loans, poor management, or the inability to obtain financing either on favorable terms or at all. If the properties do not generate sufficient income to meet operating expenses, including, where applicable, debt service, ground lease payments, tenant improvements, third-party leasing commissions and other capital expenditures, the income and ability of the Real Estate Companies to make payments of interest and principal on their loans will be adversely affected.

 

oU.S. Tax Risk – Certain U.S. Real Estate Companies are subject to special U.S. federal tax requirements. Specifically, a REIT that fails to comply with such tax requirements may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, which may affect the value of the REIT and the characterization of the REIT’s distributions. The U.S. federal tax requirement that a REIT distribute substantially all of its net income to its shareholders may result in the REIT having insufficient capital for future expenditures. Tax reform legislation enacted on December 22, 2017, informally known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), established a 20% deduction for qualified business income. Under this provision, which is effective for taxable years beginning in 2018 and, without further legislation, will sunset for taxable years beginning after 2025, individuals, trusts, and estates generally may deduct (the “Deduction”) 20% of “qualified business income,” which includes all ordinary REIT dividends(“Qualifying REIT Dividends”).

 

·New Fund Risk. The Fund is a new fund which may result in additional risk. There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to an economically viable size, in which case the Fund may cease operations. In such an event, investors may be required to liquidate or transfer their investments at an inopportune time.

 

·Repurchase Agreements Risk. The Fund may enter into certain types of repurchase agreements or purchase and sale contracts. Under a repurchase agreement, the seller agrees to repurchase a security (typically a security issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government) at a mutually agreed upon time and price. This insulates the Fund from changes in the market value of the security during the period. A purchase and sale contract is similar to a repurchase agreement, but purchase and sale contracts provide that the purchaser receives any interest on the security paid during the period. If the seller fails to repurchase the security in either situation and the market value declines, the Fund may lose money.

 

·Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the securities that a Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price. The Fund could also lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of any collateral held or assets segregated by the Fund
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to cover the transaction is less than the value of securities. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may increase the possibility of fluctuation in the Fund’s net asset value.

 

·Rule 144A Securities Risk. “Rule 144A” securities are privately placed, restricted securities that may only be resold under certain circumstances to other qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A investments are subject to certain additional risks compared to publicly traded securities. If there are not enough qualified buyers interested in purchasing Rule 144A securities when the Fund wishes to sell such securities, the Fund may be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at reasonable prices. For this reason, although Rule 144A securities are generally considered to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings in Rule 144A securities may adversely affect the Fund’s overall liquidity if qualified buyers become uninterested in buying them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available. Further, issuers of Rule 144A securities can require recipients of the information (such as the Fund) to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of a security.

 

·Securities Lending Risk. Securities lending involves the risk that the Fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral provided for loaned securities or a decline in the value of any investments made with cash collateral. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. Securities lending also involves exposure to certain additional risks, including operational risk (i.e., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process – especially so in certain international markets), “gap” risk (i.e., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees the Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), risk of loss of collateral, credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. Although the Fund’s securities lending agent has agreed to provide the Fund with indemnification in the event of a borrower default, the Fund is still exposed to the risk of losses in the event a borrower does not return the Fund’s securities as agreed and the agent fails to indemnify the Fund.

 

·To Be Announced (TBA) Transactions Risk. TBA investments include when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments. TBA transactions involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. The Fund is subject to this risk whether or not the Fund takes delivery of the securities on the settlement date for a transaction. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund loses both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price. The Fund may also take a short position in a TBA investment when it owns or has the right to obtain, at no added cost, identical securities. If the Fund takes such a short position, it may reduce the risk of a loss if the price of the securities declines in the future, but will lose the opportunity to profit if the price rises.

 

·U.S. Government Securities Risk. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. In addition, the value of U.S. Government securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government. U.S. Government securities are also subject to default risk, that is the risk that the U.S. Treasury will be unable to meet its payment obligations.

 

In addition, U.S. government securities issued by U.S. government sponsored entities, including those issued by FNMA and FHLMC, are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. FNMA and FHLMC have been operating under conservatorship, with the Federal Housing Finance Administration (“FHFA”) acting as their conservator, since September 2008. The entities are dependent upon the continued support of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and FHFA in order to continue their business operations. These factors, among others, could affect the future status and role of FNMA and FHLMC and the value of their securities and the securities which they guarantee.

 

The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities held by the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

 

·Valuation Risks. Investors who purchase shares of the Fund on, or whose repurchase requests are valued on, days when the Fund is holding instruments that have been fair valued may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher repurchase proceeds than they would have received if the instruments had not been fair valued or if the Fund had employed an alternate valuation methodology. Such risks may be more pronounced in a rising interest rate environment, and, to the extent the Fund holds a significant percentage of fair valued or otherwise difficult to value securities, it may be particularly susceptible to the risks associated with valuation. For additional information about valuation determinations, see “Determination of Net Asset Value” below. Portions of the Fund’s portfolio that are fair valued or difficult to value vary from time to time. The Fund’s shareholder reports (when
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available) contain detailed information about the Fund’s holdings that are fair valued or difficult to value, including values of such holdings as of the dates of the reports.

 

·Non-Listed Closed-end Interval Fund; Liquidity Risks. The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company operated as an “interval fund” and designed primarily for long-term investors. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly known as mutual funds) because investors in a closed-end fund do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis. Unlike most closed-end funds, which typically list their shares on a securities exchange, the Fund does not currently intend to list the Shares for trading on any securities exchange, and the Fund does not expect any secondary market to develop for the Shares in the foreseeable future. Therefore, an investment in the Fund, unlike an investment in a typical closed-end fund, is not a liquid investment. The Fund is not intended to be a typical traded investment. Although the Fund, as a fundamental policy, will make quarterly offers to repurchase at least 5% and up to 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV, the number of Shares tendered in connection with a repurchase offer may exceed the number of Shares the Fund has offered to repurchase, in which case not all of your Shares tendered in that offer will be repurchased. In connection with any given repurchase offer, it is possible that the Fund may offer to repurchase only the minimum amount of 5% of its outstanding Shares. Hence, you may not be able to sell your Shares when or in the amount that you desire.

 

In addition, because the Fund’s non-fundamental policies may be changed by a vote of the Board without the approval of shareholders, in the event of such a change, you may hold an investment with a strategy you did not anticipate, with limited means by which to dispose of your investment in a timely manner.

 

·Repurchase Offers Risks. As described under “Share Repurchase Program,” the Fund is an “interval fund” and, in order to provide liquidity to Shareholders, makes quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Fund’s Shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, the repurchase of Shares by the Fund decreases the assets of the Fund and, therefore, may have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. Repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may also affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments, which may harm the Fund’s investment performance. Moreover, diminution in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objective. If the Fund uses leverage, repurchases of Shares may compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows money to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect Shareholders who do not tender their Shares by increasing Fund expenses and reducing any net investment income. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed and the Fund determines not to repurchase additional Shares beyond the repurchase offer amount, or if Shareholders tender an amount of Shares greater than that which the Fund is entitled to purchase, the Fund will repurchase the Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and Shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. Shareholders will be subject to the risk of NAV fluctuations during that period. Thus, there is also a risk that some Shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. The NAV of Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may fluctuate between the date a Shareholder submits a repurchase request and the Repurchase Request Deadline, and to the extent there is any delay between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the Repurchase Pricing Date. The NAV on the Repurchase Request Deadline or the Repurchase Pricing Date may be higher or lower than on the date a Shareholder submits a repurchase request. See “Share Repurchase Program.”

 

Other Risks Relating to the Fund

 

·Bond Forwards Risk. A bond forward is a contractual agreement between the Fund and another party to buy or sell an underlying asset at an agreed-upon future price and date. When the Fund enters into a bond forward, it will also simultaneously enter into a reverse repurchase agreement. In a bond forward transaction, no cash premium is paid when the parties enter into the bond forward. If the transaction is collateralized, an exchange of margin collateral will take place according to an agreed-upon schedule. Otherwise, no asset of any kind changes hands until the bond forward matures (typically in 30 days) or is rolled over for another agreed-upon period. Generally, the value of the bond forward will change based on changes in the value of the underlying asset. Bond forwards are subject to market risk (the risk that the market value of the underlying bond may change), non-correlation risk (the risk that the market value of the bond forward might move independently of the market value of the underlying bond) and counterparty credit risk (the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its obligation under the contract). If there is no cash exchanged at the time the Fund enters into the bond forward, counterparty risk may be limited to the loss of any marked-to-market profit on the contract and any delays or limitations on the Fund’s ability to sell or otherwise use the investments used as collateral for the bond forward. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price. The Fund could also lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and/or the value of any collateral held or assets segregated by the Fund to cover the transaction declines below the value of securities. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may increase the possibility of fluctuation in the Fund’s NAV.
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·Convertible Securities Risk. The market value of a convertible security typically performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risk that apply to the underlying common stock. A convertible security tends to perform more like a stock when the underlying stock price is high relative to the conversion price (because more of the security’s value resides in the option to convert) and more like a debt security when the underlying stock price is low relative to the conversion price (because the option to convert is less valuable).

 

The Fund may invest in contingent convertible securities (“CoCos”). CoCos are a form of hybrid debt security that are intended to either convert into equity or have their principal written down upon the occurrence of certain “triggers.” The value of CoCos is unpredictable and will be influenced by many factors including, without limitation: (i) the creditworthiness of the issuer and/or fluctuations in such issuer’s applicable capital ratios; (ii) supply and demand for the CoCos; (iii) general market conditions and available liquidity; and (iv) economic, financial and political events that affect the issuer, its particular market or the financial markets in general. Investments in CoCos may be considered speculative.

 

·Credit Risk Transfer Securities Risk. Credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities are fixed income securities that transfer the credit risk related to certain types of mortgage backed securities (“MBS”) to the owner of the CRT. If the underlying mortgages default, the principal of the CRT securities owners is used to pay back holders of the MBS. As a result, all or part of the mortgage default or credit risk associated with the underlying mortgage pools is transferred to the Fund. Therefore, the Fund could lose all or part of its investments in credit risk transfer securities in the event of default by the underlying mortgages.

 

·Currency Risk. The risk that the value of the Fund’s investments in foreign securities or currencies will be affected by the value of the applicable currency relative to the U.S. dollar. When the Fund sells a foreign currency or foreign currency denominated security, its value may be worth less in U.S. dollars even if the investment increases in value in its local market. U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers may also be affected by currency risk, as the revenue earned by issuers of these securities may also be affected by changes in the issuer’s local currency. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets. The dollar value of foreign investments may be affected by exchange controls. The Fund may be positively or negatively affected by governmental strategies intended to make the U.S. dollar, or other currencies in which the Fund invests, stronger or weaker. Currency risk may be particularly high to the extent that the Fund invests in foreign securities or currencies that are economically tied to emerging market countries.

 

·Dollar Rolls Risk. The Fund may enter into dollar rolls in which the Fund will sell securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contract to repurchase substantially similar (the same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date to the same party. Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold or that the counterparty may be unable to fulfill its obligations. These transactions may involve leverage.

 

·ESG Investing Risk. The consideration of certain environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors may exclude securities of certain issuers for reasons other than performance and, as a result, the Fund may underperform funds that are not subject to such criteria. Applying ESG criteria to investment decisions is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there is no guarantee that the criteria used will reflect the beliefs or values of any particular investor.

 

·Emerging Markets Risk. The risks of foreign investments are usually greater for emerging markets. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. They are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. Since these markets are often small, they may be more likely to suffer sharp and frequent price changes or long-term price depression because of adverse publicity, investor perceptions or the actions of a few large investors. In addition, traditional measures of investment value used in the United States, such as price to earnings ratios, may not apply to certain small markets. Also, there may be less publicly available information about issuers in emerging markets than would be available about issuers in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject. Many emerging markets have histories of political instability and abrupt changes in policies. As a result, their governments are more likely to take actions that are hostile or detrimental to private enterprise or foreign investment than those of more developed countries, including expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments. In such an event, it is possible that the Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected market. Some countries have pervasive corruption and crime that may hinder investments. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war, and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. In addition, governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth. Emerging markets may also

 

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have differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments. Settlements of trades in emerging markets may be subject to significant delays. The inability to make intended purchases of securities due to settlement problems could cause missed investment opportunities. Losses could also be caused by an inability to dispose of portfolio securities to settlement problems. Sometimes, emerging markets may lack or be in the relatively early development of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. In addition to withholding taxes on investment income, some countries with emerging markets may impose differential capital gains taxes on foreign investors.

 

The risks outlined above are often more pronounced in “frontier markets” in which the Fund may invest. Frontier markets are those emerging markets that are considered to be among the smallest, least mature and least liquid. These factors make investing in frontier market countries significantly riskier than investing in other countries.

 

·Equity Risk. Equity securities represent an ownership interest, or the right to acquire an ownership interest, in a company. Equity securities include but are not limited to common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into common or preferred stock and warrants or rights to acquire common stock, including options. The value of an equity security may be based on the real or perceived success or failure of the particular company’s business, any income paid to stockholders in the form of a dividend, the value of the company’s assets, general market conditions, or investor sentiment generally. Equity securities may have greater price volatility than other types of investments. These risks are generally magnified in the case of equity investments in distressed companies.

 

·Exchange Traded Notes Risk. Exchange traded notes (“ETNs”) are a type of unsecured, unsubordinated debt security that have characteristics and risks similar to those of fixed-income securities, including credit risk, and trade on a major exchange similar to shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Unlike other types of fixed income securities, however, the performance of ETNs is based upon that of a market index or other reference asset minus fees and expenses, no coupon payments are made and no principal protection exists. The value of an ETN may be affected by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying commodities or securities markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced commodity or security. The Fund’s ability to sell its ETN holdings also may be limited by the availability of a secondary market and the Fund may have to sell such holdings at a discount. ETNs also are subject to counterparty credit risk, fixed-income risk and tracking error risk (where the ETN’s performance may not match or correlate to that of its market index). ETNs also incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable index.

 

·Futures and Options Risks. An option is an agreement that, for a premium payment or fee, gives the purchaser the right but not the obligation to buy or sell the underlying asset at a specified price during a period of time or on a specified date. A future is a contract that obligates the purchaser to take delivery, and the seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of an asset at a specified future date at a specified price. Futures and options are subject to the risk that the Sub-Adviser may incorrectly predict the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors that may affect the value of the underlying asset. Futures and options may be more volatile than direct investments in the securities underlying the futures and options and may not correlate perfectly to the underlying securities. Futures and options also involve additional expenses as compared to investing directly in the underlying securities, which could reduce any benefit or increase any loss to the Fund from using the strategy. Futures and options may also involve the use of leverage as the Fund may make a small initial investment relative to the risk assumed, which could result in losses greater than if futures or options had not been used. Futures and options transactions may be effected on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. When futures or options are purchased over-the-counter, the Fund bears the risk that the counter-party that wrote the future or option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the contract. Such futures and options may also be illiquid, and in such cases, the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position or valuing the contract. Options on foreign currencies are affected by the factors that influence foreign exchange rates and investments generally. The Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions on foreign currency options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market, and there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option at any specific time.

 

·Hedging Risk. Hedging is a strategy in which the Fund uses a derivative to offset the risks associated with other Fund holdings. While hedging can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by the Fund or if the cost of the derivative outweighs the benefit of the hedge. Hedging also involves the risk that changes in the value of the derivative will not match those of the holdings being hedged as expected by the Fund, in which case any losses on the holdings being hedged may not be reduced and may be increased. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging strategy will reduce risk or that hedging transactions will be either available or cost effective. The Fund is not required to use hedging and may choose not to do so.

 

·Inflation-Protected Securities Risk. The value of inflation-protected securities generally fluctuates in response to changes in real interest rates (stated interest rates adjusted to factor in inflation). In general, the price of an inflation-indexed security decreases when real interest rates increase, and increases when real interest rates decrease. Interest payments on inflation-protected debt

 

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securities will fluctuate as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and can be unpredictable. The market for Treasury inflation-protected securities (“TIPS”) and corporate inflation-protected securities (“CIPS”) may be less developed or liquid, and more volatile, than certain other securities markets. There can be no assurance that the inflation index used in these securities (i.e., the Consumer Price Index) will accurately measure the real rate of inflation. Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be considered taxable ordinary income for the amount of the increase in the calendar year, even though the Fund will not receive its principal until maturity.

 

·Large Shareholder Transaction Risk. The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders purchase or request repurchases of large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder repurchase requests may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and liquidity. Large repurchase requests could also cause the Fund’s quarterly repurchase offers to be oversubscribed and result in shareholders only having a prorated portion of the shares they requested repurchased. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, large shareholder repurchases could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio.

 

·Loans and Loan Participations Risk. The Fund may invest in loans and loan participations originated or issued by both banks and corporations. Loans and loan participations, including floating rate loans, are subject to credit risk, including the risk of nonpayment of principal or interest. Also, substantial increases in interest rates may cause an increase in loan defaults. Although the loans the Fund holds may be fully collateralized at the time of acquisition, the collateral may decline in value, be relatively illiquid, or lose all or substantially all of its value subsequent to investment. In addition, in the event an issuer becomes insolvent, a loan could be subject to settlement risks or administrative disruptions that could adversely affect the Fund’s investment. It may also be difficult to obtain reliable information about a loan or loan participation.

 

Many loans are subject to extended settlement periods and it may take greater than seven days for a loan purchase or sale transaction to settle. Loans may also be subject to restrictions on resale and may be difficult to value. Long settlement periods, any restrictions on the Fund’s ability to resell a loan investment and any difficulties in valuing a loan investment will have an adverse impact on the Fund’s ability to sell particular loans or loan participations when necessary to meet repurchase requests or liquidity needs, or to respond to a specific economic event, such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. These effects may make it more difficult for the Fund to pay investors when they request the repurchase of their Fund shares. Loans may also be subject to extension risk (the risk that borrowers will repay a loan more slowly in periods of rising interest rates) and prepayment risk (the risk that borrowers will repay a loan more quickly in periods of falling interest rates).

 

Commercial banks and other financial institutions or institutional investors make floating rate loans to companies that need capital to grow or restructure. Borrowers generally pay interest on these loans at rates that change in response to changes in market interest rates such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the prime rates of U.S. banks. As a result, the value of loan investments is generally less exposed to the adverse effects of shifts in market interest rates than investments that pay a fixed rate of interest. However, because the trading market for certain loans may be less developed than the secondary market for bonds and notes, the Fund may experience difficulties in selling its loans. Leading financial institutions often act as agent for a broader group of lenders, generally referred to as a syndicate. The syndicate’s agent arranges the loans, holds collateral and accepts payments of principal and interest. If the agent develops financial problems, the Fund may not recover its investment or recovery may be delayed. By investing in such a loan, the Fund may become a member of the syndicate. On July 27, 2017, the head of the United Kingdom’s (“UK”) Financial Conduct Authority announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. There remains uncertainty regarding the future utilization of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate. As such, the potential effect of a transition away from LIBOR on the Fund or the debt securities or other instruments based on or referencing LIBOR in which the Fund invests cannot yet be determined. The transition process might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. It could also lead to a reduction in the value of some LIBOR-based investments held by the Fund and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against existing LIBOR-based instruments

 

The loans in which the Fund invests are subject to the risk of loss of principal and income. Although borrowers frequently provide collateral to secure repayment of these obligations, they do not always do so. If they do provide collateral, the value of the collateral may not completely cover the borrower’s obligations at the time of a default. If a borrower files for protection from its creditors under the U.S. bankruptcy laws, these laws may limit the Fund’s rights to its collateral. In addition, the value of collateral may erode during a bankruptcy case. In the event of a bankruptcy, the holder of a loan may not recover its principal, may experience a long delay in recovering its investment and may not receive interest during the delay. Additionally, with respect to loan participations, the Fund, as a participant in a loan, will not have any direct claim on the loan or against the borrower, and the Fund may be subject to greater delays, expenses and risks than would have been involved if the Fund had purchased a direct obligation of the borrower.

 

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In the event of the insolvency of an agent bank (in a syndicated loan, the agent bank is the bank in the syndicate whom undertakes the bulk of the administrative duties involved in the day-to-day administration of the loan), a loan could be subject to settlement risk, as well as the risk of interruptions in the administrative duties performed in the day to day administration of the loan (such as processing LIBOR calculations, processing draws, etc.). Because the Sub-Adviser relies primarily on its own evaluation of a borrower’s credit quality, the Fund is dependent on the analytical abilities of the Sub-Adviser with respect to its investments in loans.

 

Compared to securities and to certain other types of financial assets, purchases and sales of Senior Loans take relatively longer to settle, partly due to the fact that Senior Loans require a written assignment agreement and various ancillary documents for each transfer, and frequently require discretionary consents from both the borrower and the administrative agent. In addition, recent regulatory changes have increasingly caused dealers to insist on matching their purchases and sales, which can lead to delays in the Fund’s settlement of a purchase or sale of a Senior Loan in circumstances where the dealer’s corresponding transaction with another party is delayed. Dealers will also sometimes sell Senior Loans short, and hold their trades open for an indefinite period while waiting for a price movement or looking for inventory to purchase.

 

This extended settlement process can (i) increase the counterparty credit risk borne by the Fund; (ii) leave the Fund unable to timely vote, or otherwise act with respect to, Senior Loans it has agreed to purchase; (iii) delay the Fund from realizing the proceeds of a sale of a Senior Loan; (iv) inhibit the Fund’s ability to re-sell a Senior Loan that it has agreed to purchase if conditions change (leaving the Fund more exposed to price fluctuations); (v) prevent the Fund from timely collecting principal and interest payments; and (vi) expose the Fund to adverse tax or regulatory consequences. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. The Fund may be in possession of material non-public information about a borrower or issuer as a result of its ownership of a loan or security of such borrower or issuer. Because of prohibitions on trading in securities of issuers while in possession of such information, the Fund may be unable to enter into a transaction in a loan or security of such a borrower or issuer when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so.

 

·Operational Risks Associated with Cybersecurity. The Fund and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Fund to potential risks linked to cybersecurity breaches of those technological or information systems. Cybersecurity breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Fund and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. For instance, cybersecurity breaches may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulator fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage

 

·Other Investment Companies Risk. Investments in securities of other investment companies are generally subject to limitations prescribed by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and its rules, and applicable SEC staff interpretations or applicable exemptive relief granted by the SEC. Such investments subject the Fund to the risks that apply to the other investment company, including market and selection risk, and may increase the Fund’s expenses to the extent the Fund pays fees, including investment advisory and administrative fees, charged by the other investment company. The success of the Fund’s investment in these securities is directly related, in part, to the ability of the other investment companies to meet their investment objective.

 

Investments in ETFs and closed-end funds are subject to the additional risk that shares of the ETF or closed-end fund may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value per share. There may also not be an active trading market available for shares of some ETFs or closed-end funds. Additionally, trading of ETF and closed-end fund shares may be halted and ETF and closed-end fund shares may be delisted by the listing exchange. In addition, the Fund pays brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of shares of ETF and closed-end funds. ETFs and closed-end funds are also subject to specific risks depending on the nature of the ETF or closed-end fund, such as liquidity risk, sector risk, and foreign and emerging markets risk, as well as risks associated with fixed income securities, real estate investments and commodities. Closed-end funds may use more leverage than other types of investment companies. They can utilize leverage by issuing preferred stocks or debt securities to raise additional capital which can, in turn, be used to buy more securities and leverage its portfolio.

 

A business development company (“BDC”), which is a type of closed-end fund, typically invests in small and medium-sized U.S. companies. A BDC’s portfolio is subject to the risks inherent in investing in smaller companies, including that portfolio companies may be dependent on a small number of products or services and may be more adversely affected by poor economic or market conditions. Some BDCs invest substantially, or even exclusively, in one sector or industry group and therefore the BDC may be susceptible to adverse conditions and economic or regulatory occurrences affecting the sector or industry group, which tends to increase volatility and result in higher risk. The Small Business Credit Availability Act, which was signed into law in March 2018, permits BDCs to adopt a lower asset coverage ratio, thereby enhancing their ability to use leverage. Investments in BDCs that use greater leverage may be subject to heightened risks.

 

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The Fund will indirectly bear a pro rata share of fees and expenses incurred by any investment companies in which the Fund is invested. The Fund’s pro rata portion of the cumulative expenses charged by the investment companies is calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets. The pro rata portion of the cumulative expenses may be higher or lower depending on the allocation of the Fund’s assets among the investment companies and the actual expenses of the investment companies. Business development company expenses are similar to the expenses paid by any operating company held by the Fund. They are not direct costs paid by Fund shareholders and are not used to calculate the Fund’s net asset value. They have no impact on the costs associated with Fund operations.

 

·Preferred Stock Risk. The prices and yields of nonconvertible preferred stocks generally move with changes in interest rates and the issuer’s credit quality, similar to debt securities. The value of convertible preferred stocks varies in response to many factors, including, for example, the value of the underlying equity securities, general market and economic conditions and convertible market valuations, as well as changes in interest rates, credit spreads and the credit quality of the issuer.

 

·Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year, as well as within a given year. The portfolio turnover rate is not considered a limiting factor in the execution of investment decisions for the Fund. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of net short-term capital gains by the Fund which, when distributed to shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. A high portfolio turnover may increase the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, resulting in a greater portion of the Fund’s distributions being treated as a dividend to the Fund’s shareholders. In addition, a higher portfolio turnover rate results in correspondingly greater brokerage and other transactional expenses that are borne by the Fund.

 

·Regulatory and Legal Risks. U.S. and non-U.S. government agencies and other regulators regularly adopt new regulations and legislatures enact new statutes that affect the investments held by the Fund, the strategies used by the Fund or the level of regulation or taxation that applies to the Fund. These statutes and regulations may impact the investment strategies, performance, costs and operations of the Fund or the taxation of its shareholders.

 

·RIC-Related Risks of Investments Generating Non-Cash Taxable Income. Certain of the Fund’s investments will require the Fund to recognize taxable income in a taxable year in excess of the cash generated on those investments during that year. In particular, the Fund expects to invest in debt obligations that will be treated as having “market discount” and/or “original issue discount” (“OID”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Additionally, some of the CLOs in which the Fund invests may be considered passive foreign investment companies, or under certain circumstances, controlled foreign corporations. Because the Fund may be required to recognize income in respect of these investments before, or without receiving, cash representing such income, the Fund may have difficulty satisfying the annual distribution requirements applicable to RICs and avoiding Fund-level U.S. federal income and/or excise taxes. Accordingly, the Fund may be required to sell assets, including at potentially disadvantageous times or prices, raise additional debt or equity capital, make taxable distributions of its shares or debt securities, or reduce new investments, to obtain the cash needed to make these income distributions. If the Fund liquidates assets to raise cash, the Fund may realize gain or loss on such liquidations; in the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such liquidation transactions, the Fund shareholders may receive larger capital gain distributions than they would in the absence of such transactions. Furthermore, under proposed treasury regulations, certain income derived by the Fund from a CLO that is a passive foreign investment company or controlled foreign corporation would generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the income test applicable to RICs only to the extent the applicable CLO makes current distributions of the corresponding income to the Fund. The proposed regulations, if adopted, would apply to taxable years beginning on or after 90 days after the regulations are published as final.

 

·Short Sales of To Be Announced (TBA) Transactions Risk. When the Fund enters into a short sale of a TBA security it effectively agrees to sell at a future date and price a security it does not own. Although most TBA short sale transactions are closed before the Fund would be required to deliver the security, if the Fund does not close the position, the Fund may have to purchase the securities needed to settle the short sale at a higher price than anticipated. This would cause the Fund to lose money. The Fund may not always be able to purchase the securities required to settle a short at a particular time or at an attractive price. The Fund may incur increased transaction costs associated with selling TBA securities short. In addition, taking short positions in TBA securities results in a form of leverage, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s returns.

 

·Sovereign Debt Risk. In addition to the risks associated with investment in debt securities and foreign securities generally, sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt or otherwise meet its obligations. This may be due to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. If a governmental entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected. In addition, if a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Unlike most corporate debt restructurings, the fees and expenses

 

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of financial and legal advisers to the creditors in connection with a restructuring may be borne by the holders of the sovereign debt securities instead of the sovereign entity itself. Some sovereign debtors have in the past been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moratoria on payments, and similar occurrences may happen in the future.

 

·Sub-Sovereign Debt Risk and Supranational Debt Risk. Sub-sovereign government bonds represent the debt of state, provincial, territorial, municipal, local or other political sub-divisions, including other governmental entities or agencies, other than sovereign governments. In addition to risks of investing in sovereign debt generally, risks of investing in sub-sovereign debt include the fact that such investments may or may not be issued by, or guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the sub-sovereign’s larger sovereign entity. Certain foreign sub-sovereign securities may be backed by the issuer’s right to borrow from a central bank or other regional banking entity, while others may be backed only by the assets and credit of the issuing foreign sub-sovereign entity.

 

The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by supranational entities, which may include, for example, entities such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank). If one or more shareholders of a supranational entity fails to make necessary additional capital contributions, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and the Fund may lose money on such investments.

 

·Subordinated Debt, Senior Debt and Preferred Securities of Banks and Diversified Financial Companies Risk. Banks may issue subordinated debt securities, which have a lower priority to full payment behind other more senior debt securities. This means, for example, that if the issuing bank were to become insolvent, subordinated debt holders may not receive a full return of their principal because the bank would have to satisfy the claims of senior debt holders first. In addition to the risks generally associated with fixed income instruments (e.g., interest rate risk, credit risk, etc.), bank subordinated debt is also subject to risks inherent to banks. Because banks are highly regulated and operate in a highly competitive environment, it may be difficult for a bank to meet its debt obligations. Banks also may be affected by changes in legislation and regulations applicable to the financial markets. This is especially true in light of the large amount of regulatory developments in recent years. Bank subordinated debt is often issued by smaller community banks that may be overly concentrated in a specific geographic region, lack the capacity to comply with new regulatory requirements or lack adequate capital. Smaller banks may also have a lower capacity to withstand negative developments in the market in general. If any of these or other factors were to negatively affect a bank’s operations, the bank could fail to make payments on its debt obligations, which would hurt the Fund’s bank subordinated debt investments.

 

Preferred securities are subject to risks associated with both equity and debt instruments. Because many preferred securities allow the issuer to convert its preferred stock into common stock, preferred securities are often sensitive to declining common stock values. In addition, certain preferred securities contain provisions that allow an issuer to skip or defer distributions, which may be more likely when the issuer is less able to make dividend payments as a result of financial difficulties. Preferred securities can also be affected by changes in interest rates, especially if dividends are paid at a fixed rate, and may also include call features in favor of the issuer. In the event of redemptions by the issuer, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds at comparable or favorable rates of return. Preferred securities are generally subordinated to bonds and other debt securities in an issuer’s capital structure in terms of priority for corporate income and liquidation payments, and may trade less frequently and in a more limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than many other securities.

 

Subordinated debt, senior debt and preferred securities of banks and diversified companies are subject to the risks generally associated with the financial sector.

 

·Structured Securities Risk. Structured securities and other related instruments purchased by the Fund are generally privately negotiated debt obligations where the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to the performance of a specific asset, benchmark asset, market or interest rate. Depending on the terms of the particular instrument and the nature of the underlying instrument, structured securities may be subject to equity market risk, commodity market risk, currency market risk or interest rate risk. Structured securities that do not involve any type of credit enhancement, are subject to credit risk that generally will be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments. Credit enhanced securities will be subject to the credit risk associated with the provider of the enhancement. The Fund may invest in a class of structured securities that is either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class. Subordinated structured securities typically have higher yields and present greater risks than unsubordinated structured securities. Structured securities are typically sold in private placement transactions, and there currently is no active trading market for structured securities, which may make them difficult to value and sell. Certain issuers of such structured securities may be deemed to be “investment companies” as defined in the Investment Company Act, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a result, the Fund’s investment in such securities may be limited by certain investment restrictions contained in the 1940 Act.

 

·Swaps Risk. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into for a set period of time in which the parties agree to exchange payments based on some underlying reference asset (such as interest rates). The use of swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques, risk analyses and tax planning different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities
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transactions. These transactions can result in sizeable realized and unrealized capital gains and losses relative to the gains and losses from the Fund’s direct investments in the reference assets.

 

Transactions in swaps can involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested directly in the reference asset since, in addition to general market risks, swaps may be leveraged and are also subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk, credit risk and valuation risk. Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, certain swap transactions may be considered to be illiquid. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap counterparty. Some swaps may be complex and difficult to value. Swaps may also be subject to pricing or “basis” risk, which exists when a particular swap becomes extraordinarily expensive relative to historical prices or the price of corresponding cash market instruments. Under certain market conditions it may not be economically feasible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position in time to avoid a loss or take advantage of an opportunity. If a swap transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.

 

The prices of swaps can be very volatile, and a variance in the degree of volatility or in the direction of the price of the reference asset from the Sub-Adviser’s expectations may produce significant losses in the Fund’s investments in swaps. In addition, a perfect correlation between a swap and an investment position may be impossible to achieve. As a result, the Fund’s use of swaps may not be effective in fulfilling the Fund’s investment strategies and may contribute to losses that would not have been incurred otherwise.

 

Certain swaps are centrally-cleared and will eventually be exchange-traded. Central clearing is expected to decrease credit risk and exchange-trading is expected to improve liquidity. However, central clearing does not make the contracts risk-free.

 

In order to comply with applicable 1940 Act restrictions on leverage, the Fund will “set aside” liquid assets (often referred to as “asset segregation”), or otherwise “cover” its swap position in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the SEC’s positions regarding asset segregation.

 

oCredit Default Swaps Risk − A credit default swap enables an investor to buy or sell protection against a credit event with respect to an issuer. Credit default swaps may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” may be obligated to pay the protection “seller” an up-front payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided generally that no credit event on a reference obligation has occurred. Credit default swaps involve special risks in addition to those mentioned above because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty).

 

oInterest Rate Swaps Risk − In an interest rate swap, the Fund and another party exchange their rights to receive interest payments based on a reference interest rate. Interest rate swaps are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. An interest rate swap transaction could result in losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Interest rate swaps are also subject to counterparty risk. If the counterparty fails to meet its obligations, the Fund may lose money.

 

oTotal Return Swaps Risk − In a total return swap transaction, one party agrees to pay the other party an amount equal to the total return on a defined underlying asset or a non-asset reference during a specified period of time. In return, the other party would make periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or on the total return from a different underlying asset or non-asset reference. Total return swaps could result in losses if the underlying asset or reference does not perform as anticipated. Total return swaps can have the potential for unlimited losses. They are also subject to counterparty risk. If the counterparty fails to meet its obligations, the Fund may lose money.

 

oVolatility Swaps Risk − The Fund may enter into types of volatility swaps to hedge the volatility of a particular security, currency, index or other financial instrument, or to seek to increase its investment return. In volatility swaps, counterparties agree to buy or sell volatility at a specific level over a fixed period. Volatility swaps are subject to credit risks (if the counterparty fails to meet its obligations), and the risk that the Sub-Adviser is incorrect in its forecast of volatility for the underlying security, currency, index or other financial instrument that is the subject of the swap. If the Sub-Adviser is incorrect in its forecast, the Fund would likely be required to make a payment to the counterparty under the swap. Volatility swaps can have the potential for unlimited losses.

 

·Use of Cash or Money Market Investments. The Fund may participate in a cash sweep program whereby the Fund’s uninvested cash balance is used to purchase shares of affiliated or unaffiliated money market funds or cash management pooled investment vehicles at the end of each day. To the extent the Fund invests its uninvested cash through a sweep program, it is subject to the risks of the account or fund into which it is investing, including liquidity issues that may delay the Fund from accessing its cash. The Fund may also invest some or all of its assets in cash, high quality money market instruments (including, but not limited to U.S.

 

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government securities, bank obligations, commercial paper and repurchase agreements involving the foregoing securities) and shares of money market funds for temporary defensive purposes in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions. In addition, the Fund may invest some of its assets in these instruments to maintain liquidity or in response to atypical circumstances such as unusually large cash inflows or repurchases. Under such conditions, the Fund may not invest in accordance with its investment objective or principal investment strategy. As a result, there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and it may lose the benefit of market upswings.

 

·Warrants Risk. Warrants give the Fund the right to purchase equity securities (“underlying stock”) at specific prices valid for a specific period of time. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the exercise price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and the Fund loses any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve substantially more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock and can be more volatile than the prices of the underlying stocks. The market for warrants may be limited and it may be difficult for the Fund to sell a warrant promptly at an advantageous price.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

 

Trustees

 

Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust (“Declaration of Trust”) and By-Laws (“By-Laws”), the Fund’s business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board, which has overall responsibility for monitoring and overseeing the Fund’s management and operations. The Board currently consists of ten Trustees, nine of whom are considered Independent Trustees. The Trustees are subject to removal or replacement in accordance with Delaware law and the Declaration of Trust. The Trustees who currently comprise the Board were elected by the Fund’s sole initial shareholder. The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the Trustees.

 

Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC serves as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to the terms of the Investment Management Agreement and subject to the oversight of, and any policies established by, the Board. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for the management of the Fund and supervises the activities of the investment sub-adviser. Schroder Investment Management North America Inc.) serves as the Fund’s sub-adviser. SIMNA performs the daily investment of the assets for the Fund.

 

The Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, oversees and monitors the Fund’s investment performance as well as the activities of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. After an initial two-year term, the Board will review on an annual basis the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement to determine, among other things, whether the fees payable thereunder are reasonable in light of the services provided.

 

Investment Personnel

 

The portfolio managers for the Fund are set forth below. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

Michelle Russell-Dowe, Head of Securitized Credit at Schroders and Lead Portfolio Manager of Schroders Securitized Credit Team, has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception. Ms. Dowe joined Schroders in 2016.

 

Anthony Breaks, Portfolio Manager on Schroders Securitized Credit Team, has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception. Mr. Breaks joined Schroders in 2016.

 

Control Persons

 

A control person generally is a person who beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such company. As of the date of this Prospectus, Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC or one of its affiliates may be deemed to be control persons of the Fund due to its beneficial ownership of more than 25% of the Fund’s outstanding Shares.

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent

 

Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC, located at 690 Lee Road, Wayne Pennsylvania 19087, provides the Fund with administrative services pursuant to the terms of the Investment Management Agreement. HFMC also provides the Fund with accounting services pursuant to the fund accounting agreement by and between the Fund and HFMC. HFMC receives a fee from the fund for these accounting services. HFMC has delegated certain accounting and administrative service functions to State Street Bank and Trust Company. The costs and expenses of such delegation are borne by HFMC, not by the Fund.

 

Hartford Administrative Services Company (“HASCO”), located at 690 Lee Road, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087, is the transfer agent for the Fund. As transfer agent, HASCO, among other things, receives and processes purchase and repurchase orders, effects transfers of shares, prepares and transmits payments for dividends and distributions, maintains records of account, and provides oversight of service providers and financial intermediaries providing sub-transfer agency, sub-accounting, and similar shareholder services on behalf of Fund shareholders. An Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement provides the terms pursuant to which HASCO provides such services to the Fund and the terms pursuant to which the Fund pays compensation to HASCO for providing such services. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between HASCO and DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (“DST”), HASCO has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent functions to DST. DST is located at 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169. In addition to DST, HASCO may also designate other service providers as sub-agent to perform or provide shareholder services for the Fund, provided that such sub-agents do not provide distribution services for the Fund.

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Custodian

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company, located at 500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, serves as custodian for the Fund.

 

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FUND EXPENSES

 

The Adviser bears all of its own costs incurred in providing investment advisory services to the Fund. As described below, however, the Fund bears all other expenses incurred in the business and operation of the Fund, including amounts that the Fund pays HFMC and its affiliates, including HASCO, or to any other service provider affiliated with the Fund for certain services that HFMC and /or its affiliates or such other affiliates provide or arrange to be provided to the Fund.

 

Expenses borne directly by the Fund include:

 

·the cost of calculating the NAV of Shares, including the cost of any third-party pricing or valuation services;

 

·the cost of effecting sales and repurchases of Shares and other securities;

 

·the Management Fee;

 

·investment related expenses (e.g., expenses that, in the Adviser’s discretion, are related to the investment of the Fund’s assets, whether or not such investments are consummated), including, as applicable, brokerage commissions, borrowing charges on securities sold short, clearing and settlement charges, recordkeeping, interest expense, line of credit fees, dividends on securities sold but not yet purchased, margin fees, investment related travel and lodging expenses and research-related expenses;

 

·professional fees relating to investments, including expenses of consultants, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other experts;

 

·fees and expenses relating to software tools, programs or other technology (including risk management software, fees to risk management services providers, third-party software licensing, implementation, data management and recovery services and custom development costs);

 

·research and market data (including news and quotation equipment and services, and any computer hardware and connectivity hardware (e.g., telephone and fiber optic lines) incorporated into the cost of obtaining such research and market data);

 

·all costs and charges for equipment or services used in communicating information regarding the Fund’s transactions among the Adviser and any custodian or other agent engaged by the Fund;

 

·transfer agent and custodial fees;

 

·fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts, including any distribution and service (12b-1) type fees;

 

·federal and any state registration or notification fees;

 

·federal, state and local taxes;

 

·fees and expenses of Trustees not also serving in an executive officer capacity for the Fund or the Adviser (except that the Adviser will bear the cost of any special Board meetings or any shareholder meetings convened for the primary benefit of the Adviser);

 

·its proportionate share of the Fund’s chief compliance officer’s compensation;

 

·the costs of preparing, printing and mailing reports and other communications, including tender offer correspondence or similar materials, to Shareholders (except that the Adviser bears the cost of printing and distributing extra copies of the Fund’s prospectus, statement of additional information, and sales and advertising materials to prospective investors (but not to existing Shareholders));

 

·fidelity bond, Trustees and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

 

·direct costs such as printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff;

 

·legal expenses (including those expenses associated with preparing the Fund’s public filings, attending and preparing for Board meetings, as applicable, and generally serving as counsel to the Fund);

 

·external accounting expenses (including fees and disbursements and expenses related to the annual audit of the Fund and the preparation of the Fund’s tax information);

 

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·any costs and expenses associated with or related to due diligence performed with respect to the Fund’s offering of its shares, including but not limited to, costs associated with or related to due diligence activities performed by, on behalf of, or for the benefit of broker-dealers, registered investment advisors, and third-party due diligence providers;

 

·costs associated with reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws, including compliance with The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; and

 

·any expenses incurred outside of the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, costs incurred in connection with any claim, litigation, arbitration, mediation, government investigation or similar proceeding and indemnification expenses as provided for in the Fund’s organizational documents.

 

The Fund may also bear some or all of the costs associated with servicing the loans purchased by the Fund and conducting research, due diligence and certain up-front work required to identify and invest in loans.

 

Expense Limitation Arrangement

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse certain expenses (exclusive of any taxes, interest on borrowings, dividends on securities sold short, brokerage commissions, fees associated with the sourcing of loans acquired by the Fund, acquired fund fees and expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization and extraordinary expenses) to limit the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to the extent necessary to maintain total annual fund operating expenses as follows: ___% (Class A), ___% (Class I), and ___% (Class SDR). This contractual arrangement will remain in effect until February 28, 2021 unless the Fund’s Board of Trustees approves its earlier termination The expense limitation agreement excludes certain expenses and consequently, the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after fee waiver/expense reimbursement may be higher than the amounts provided under expense limitation arrangement. The Adviser can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual fee waivers or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Adviser (a) occurs within three years after the Adviser’s own waiver or reimbursement and (b) does not cause the operating expenses of a class to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or the time of the recoupment.

 

Organization and Offering Costs

 

Organizational costs include, among other things, the cost of organizing as a Delaware statutory trust, including the cost of legal services and other fees pertaining to the Fund’s organization. These costs are paid by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund.

 

The Fund’s initial offering costs include, among other things, legal, accounting, printing and other expenses pertaining to this offering. These costs are paid by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund.

 

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MANAGEMENT FEE

 

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, and in consideration of the advisory services provided by the Adviser to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to a Management Fee. The Management Fee is calculated and payable monthly in arrears at the annual rate of _% of the average daily value of the Fund’s net assets. The Adviser, not the Fund, pays the sub-advisory fees to the Sub-Adviser.

 

Approval of the Investment Management Agreement

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Investment Management Agreement will be available in the Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for the period ending October 31, 2019, which will be publicly filed with the SEC.

 

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

The price you pay for your Shares is based on the Fund’s NAV. The NAV per share is determined for each class of the Fund’s shares as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day that the Exchange is open. The Fund is closed for business and does not price its shares on the following business holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and other holidays observed by the Exchange. If the Exchange is closed due to weather or other extraordinary circumstances on a day it would typically be open for business, the Fund may treat such day as a typical business day and accept purchase and repurchase requests and calculate the Fund’s NAV in accordance with applicable law. The net asset value for each class of shares is determined by dividing the value of the Fund’s net assets attributable to a class of shares by the number of shares outstanding for that class. Information that becomes known to the Fund after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the NAV determined earlier that day.

 

The Fund’s maximum offering price per Class A shares is determined by adding the applicable maximum sales charge to the net asset value per share. Class I and Class SDR shares are offered at net asset value without the imposition of an initial sales charge.

 

For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets held in the Fund’s portfolio for which market quotations are readily available are valued at market value. Market value is generally determined on the basis of official close price or last reported trade price. If no trades were reported, market value is based on prices obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers (including evaluated prices), or independent pricing services. Pricing vendors may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values, including transaction data, credit quality information, general market conditions, news, and other factors and assumptions.

 

If market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, the Fund will use the fair value of the security or other instrument as determined in good faith under policies and procedures established by and under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Fund (“Valuation Procedures”). Market quotations are considered not readily available where there is an absence of current or reliable market-based data (e.g., trade information or broker quotes), including where events occur after the close of the relevant market, but prior to the NYSE Close that materially affect the values of the Fund’s portfolio holdings or assets. In addition, market quotations are considered not readily available when, due to extraordinary circumstances, the exchanges or markets on which the securities or other instruments trade, do not open for trading for the entire day and no other market quotations are available. Fair value pricing is subjective in nature and the use of fair value pricing by the Fund may cause the NAV of its shares to differ significantly from the NAV that would have been calculated using market quotations at the close of the exchange on which a portfolio holding is primarily traded. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if the Fund were to sell the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV.

 

Prices of foreign equities that are principally traded on certain foreign markets will generally be adjusted daily pursuant to a fair value pricing service in order to reflect an adjustment for the factors occurring after the close of certain foreign markets but before the NYSE Close. Securities and other instruments that are primarily traded on foreign markets may trade on days that are not business days of the Fund. The value of the foreign securities or other instruments in which the Fund invests may change on days when a shareholder will not be able to purchase shares of the Fund.

 

Fixed income investments (other than short-term obligations) held by the Fund are normally valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services in accordance with the Valuation Procedures. Short term investments maturing in 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost if their original term to maturity was 60 days or less, or by amortizing their value on the 61st day prior to maturity, if the original term exceeded 60 days.

 

Exchange-traded derivatives, such as options, futures and options on futures, are valued at the last sale price determined by the exchange where such instruments principally trade as of the close of such exchange (“Exchange Close”). If a last sale price is not available, the value will be the mean of the most recently quoted bid and ask prices as of the Exchange Close. If a mean of the bid and ask prices cannot be calculated for the day, the value will be the most recently quoted bid price as of the Exchange Close. Over-the-counter derivatives are normally valued based on prices supplied by independent pricing services in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

 

Investments valued in currencies other than U.S. dollars are converted to U.S. dollars using the prevailing spot currency exchange rates obtained from independent pricing services for calculation of the NAV. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities or other instruments traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the Exchange is closed and the market value may change on days when an investor is not able to purchase, exchange, or request the repurchase of shares of the Fund.

 

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Foreign currency contracts represent agreements to exchange currencies on specific future dates at predetermined rates. Foreign currency contracts are valued using foreign currency exchange rates and forward rates as provided by an independent pricing service on the Valuation Date.

 

Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the respective NAV of each open-end mutual fund on the Valuation Date. Shares of investment companies listed and traded on an exchange are valued in the same manner as any exchange-listed equity security. Such open-end mutual funds and listed investment companies may use fair value pricing as disclosed in their prospectuses.

 

Financial instruments for which prices are not available from an independent pricing service may be valued using market quotations obtained from one or more dealers that make markets in the respective financial instrument in accordance with the Valuation Procedures.

 

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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

The Fund’s executive officers and trustees, and the employees of the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, serve or may serve as officers, trustees or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as the Fund, including other funds managed by the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser (“Other Managed Funds”). As a result, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in the best interests of the Fund or its shareholders. Moreover, notwithstanding the difference in principal investment objectives between the Fund and the Other Managed Funds, such other funds, including potential new pooled investment vehicles or managed accounts not yet established (whether managed or sponsored by affiliates or the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser), have, and may from time to time have, overlapping investment objectives with the Fund and, accordingly, invest in, whether principally or secondarily, asset classes similar to those targeted by the Fund. To the extent the Other Managed Funds have overlapping investment objectives, the scope of opportunities otherwise available to the Fund may be adversely affected and/or reduced. Additionally, certain employees of the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser and its management may face conflicts in their time management and commitments as well as in the allocation of investment opportunities to Other Managed Funds.

 

The results of the Fund’s investment activities may differ significantly from the results achieved by the Other Managed Funds. It is possible that one or more of such funds will achieve investment results that are substantially more or less favorable than the results achieved by the Fund. Moreover, it is possible that the Fund will sustain losses during periods in which one or more affiliates achieve significant profits on their trading for other accounts. The opposite result is also possible. The investment activities of one or more Adviser or the Sub-Adviser affiliates for accounts under their management may also limit the investment opportunities for the Fund in certain markets.

 

The Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, their affiliates and clients may pursue or enforce rights with respect to an issuer in which the Fund has invested, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Fund. As a result, prices, availability, liquidity and terms of the Fund’s investments may be negatively impacted by the activities of the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates or clients, and transactions for the Fund may be impaired or effected at prices or terms that may be less favorable than would otherwise have been the case.

 

Through Other Managed Funds, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser currently invest and plan to continue to invest third party capital in a wide variety of mortgage loans and real estate-related debt investment opportunities on a global basis. Investment opportunities that fall within common objectives or guidelines will generally be allocated among the Fund and Other Managed Funds on a basis that the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser determine to be “fair and reasonable” in their sole discretion, subject to (i) any applicable investment parameters, limitations and other contractual provisions of the Fund and Other Managed Funds, (ii) the Fund and Other Managed Funds having available capital with respect thereto, and (iii) legal, tax, accounting, regulatory and other considerations deemed relevant by the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser (including without limitation, Section 17 of the 1940 Act). As a result, in certain circumstances, a significant portion of the investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to the Fund may be allocated, in whole or in part, to Other Managed Funds. In addition, the manner in which the available capital of the Fund is determined may differ from, or subsequently change with respect to, Other Managed Funds.

 

The Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser may structure an investment as a result of which one or more Other Managed Funds are offered the opportunity to participate in a separate debt tranche of an investment allocated to the Fund. In such circumstances, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser would owe a fiduciary duty to the Fund and the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser would owe a fiduciary duty to such Other Managed Funds. For example, if the Fund were to purchase high-yield securities or other debt instruments relating to an issuer in which an Other Managed Fund held a “mezzanine” or equity interest, the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser may, in certain instances, face a conflict of interest in respect of the advice it gives to, or the decisions made with regard to, the Fund and such Other Managed Fund (e.g., with respect to the terms of such securities or other debt instruments, the enforcement of covenants, the terms of recapitalizations and the resolution of workouts or bankruptcies).

 

In addition, the Fund or its portfolio companies may engage entities that are affiliated with the Fund, the Adviser and/or the Sub-Adviser to provide services to the Fund in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder. Such engagements may inherently give rise to conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest.

 

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SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

 

The Fund does not currently intend to list the Shares on a securities exchange and does not expect a secondary market to develop in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, Shareholders should expect that they will be unable to sell their Shares for an indefinite time or at a desired price. No Shareholder will have the right to require the Fund to repurchase or redeem such Shareholder’s Shares or any portion thereof. Shareholders are not permitted to transfer their investment from the Fund to any other registered investment company. Because no public market exists for the Shares, and no such market is expected to develop in the foreseeable future, Shareholders will not be able to liquidate their investment, other than through the Fund’s share repurchase program, or, in limited circumstances, as a result of transfers of Shares to other investors.

 

The Fund is an “interval fund,” which is a structure designed to provide some liquidity to Shareholders by allowing for periodic offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. The Fund intends to make quarterly repurchase offers for it Shares unless such offer is suspended or postponed in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements (as discussed below). In connection with any given repurchase offer, it is possible that the Fund may offer to repurchase only the minimum allowable amount of 5% of its outstanding Shares. Quarterly repurchases will occur in the months of March, June, September and December starting in March 2020. The Fund’s offer to purchase Shares is a fundamental policy that may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). Written notifications of each quarterly repurchase offer (the “Repurchase Offer Notice”) will be sent to Shareholders at least 21 calendar days before the repurchase request deadline (i.e., the date by which Shareholders can tender their Shares in response to a repurchase offer) (the “Repurchase Request Deadline”). The NAV will be calculated no later than the 14th calendar day (or the next business day if the 14th calendar day is not a business day) after the Repurchase Request Deadline (the “Repurchase Pricing Date”); however, the Fund expects to determine the NAV applicable to repurchases on the Repurchase Request Deadline. The Fund expects to distribute payment to Shareholders between one and three business days after the Repurchase Pricing Date and will distribute such payment no later than seven calendar days after such Date. The Fund’s Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, and the Fund anticipates that no secondary market will develop for its Shares. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Thus, the Shares are appropriate only as a long-term investment. In addition, the Fund’s repurchase offers may subject the Fund and Shareholders to special risks. See “Types of Investments and Related Risks—Repurchase Offers Risks.”

 

Determination of Repurchase Offer Amount

 

The Board, or a committee thereof, in its sole discretion, will determine the number of Shares that the Fund will offer to repurchase (the “Repurchase Offer Amount”) in connection with any given Repurchase Request Deadline. However, the Repurchase Offer Amount, will be no less than 5% and no more than 25% of the total number of Shares outstanding on the Repurchase Request Deadline.

 

If Shareholders tender more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund will repurchase the Shares on a pro rata basis. However, the Fund is permitted to accept all Shares tendered for repurchase by Shareholders who own less than one hundred Shares and who tender all of their Shares, before prorating other amounts tendered.

 

The Fund does not currently charge a repurchase fee. However, the Fund may introduce a repurchase fee at any time by charging a repurchase fee of up to 2.00% on Shares accepted for repurchase by the Fund, which the Fund would retain to help offset estimated costs related to the repurchase offers (such as bid to ask spreads) incurred by the Fund, directly or indirectly, as a result of repurchasing Shares. The Fund may modify the amount of a repurchase fee at any time.

 

Notice to Shareholders

 

No less than 21 days and more than 42 days before each Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will send each Shareholder of record and each beneficial owner of the Shares that are the subject of the repurchase offer a notification (“Shareholder Notification”).  The Shareholder Notification will contain information Shareholders should consider in deciding whether to tender Shares for repurchase. The notice also will include detailed instructions on how to tender shares for repurchase, state the Repurchase Offer Amount and set forth the Repurchase Request Deadline, the scheduled Repurchase Pricing Date, and the date the repurchase proceeds are scheduled for payment (the “Repurchase Payment Deadline”).  The notice will also indicate the NAV that has been computed no more than seven days before the date of notification, and the process through which Shareholders may learn the NAV after the notification date.

 

Repurchase Price

 

The repurchase price of the shares will be the NAV of the share class as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the Repurchase Pricing Date. Investors may call [(xxx) xxx-xxxx] to learn the NAV. The notice of the repurchase offer also will provide information concerning the NAV, such as the NAV as of a recent date or a sampling of recent NAVs of the Fund, and a toll-free number to call for information regarding the repurchase offer.

 

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Repurchase Amounts and Payment of Proceeds

 

Shares tendered for repurchase by shareholders prior to any Repurchase Request Deadline will be repurchased subject to the aggregate Repurchase Offer Amount established for that Repurchase Request Deadline.  Payment pursuant to the repurchase offer will be made by check to the Shareholder’s address of record, or credited directly to a predetermined bank account on the Purchase Payment Date, which will be no more than seven days after the Repurchase Pricing Date.  The Board may establish other policies for repurchases of shares that are consistent with the 1940 Act, regulations thereunder and other applicable laws.

 

If Shareholders tender for repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount for a given repurchase offer, the Fund may, but is not required to, repurchase an additional amount of Shares not to exceed 2.00% of the outstanding Shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline.  If the Fund determines not to repurchase more than the Repurchase Offer Amount, or if Shareholders tender Shares in an amount exceeding the Repurchase Offer Amount plus 2.00% of the outstanding Shares on the Repurchase Request Deadline, the Fund will repurchase Shares on a pro rata basis.  However, the Fund may accept all Shares tendered for repurchase by Shareholders who own less than one hundred Shares and who tender all of their Shares, before prorating other amounts tendered.

 

Consequences of Repurchase Offers

 

From the time the Fund sends the Shareholder Notification until the Repurchase Pricing Date for that offer, the Fund must maintain liquid assets at least equal to the percentage of its Shares subject to the repurchase offer. For this purpose, such assets will consist of investments that may be sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, at approximately the price at which the Fund values them, within the period between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the repurchase payment deadline, or which mature by the Repurchase Payment Deadline. The Fund is also permitted to borrow up to the maximum extent permitted under the 1940 Act to meet repurchase requests.

 

If the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect shareholders who do not tender their Shares by increasing the Fund’s expenses and reducing any net investment income. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able sell a significant amount of additional Shares so as to mitigate these effects.

 

These and other possible risks associated with the Fund’s repurchase offers are described under “Other Risks Related to the Fund — Repurchase Offers Risks” above. In addition, the repurchase of Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to shareholders. For a discussion of these tax consequences, see “Tax Matters” below and in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE

 

Shares of Beneficial Interest

 

The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Fund’s issuance of an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest of each class. There is currently no market for Shares and the Fund does not expect that a market for Shares will develop in the foreseeable future. Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust and as permitted by Delaware law, Shareholders are entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations organized for profit incorporated in the State of Delaware and, therefore, generally will not be personally liable for the Fund’s debts or obligations.

 

Share Classes

 

The Fund applied for exemptive relief from the SEC that would permit the Fund to issue multiple classes of shares. [The Fund currently offers three classes of shares, Class A, Class I and Class SDR.]

 

Shares

 

Under the terms of the Declaration of Trust, all Shares, when consideration for Shares is received by the Fund, will be fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to Shareholders if, as and when authorized and declared by the Board. Except as otherwise provided by the Trustees, Shares will have no preemptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Fund, and will be freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by law or contract. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Board shall have the power to repurchase or redeem Shares. In the event of the Fund’s dissolution, after the Fund pays or adequately provides for the payment of all claims and obligations of the Fund, and upon the receipt of such releases, indemnities and refunding agreements deemed necessary by the Board, each Share will be entitled to receive, according to its respective rights, a pro rata portion of the Fund’s assets available for distribution for the applicable class, subject to any preferential rights of holders of the Fund’s outstanding preferred Shares, if any. Each whole Share will be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Share will be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. However, to the extent required by the 1940 Act or otherwise determined by the Board, classes of the Fund will vote separately from each other. Shareholders shall be entitled to vote on all matters on which a vote of Shareholders is required by the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust or a resolution of the Board. There will be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Under the Declaration of Trust, the Fund is not required to hold annual meetings of Shareholders. The Fund only expects to hold Shareholder meetings to the extent required by the 1940 Act or pursuant to special meetings called by the Board or a majority of Shareholders.

 

Preferred Shares and Other Securities

 

The Declaration of Trust provides that the Board may, subject to the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions and the requirements of the 1940 Act, authorize and cause the Fund to issue securities of the Fund other than Shares (including preferred Shares, debt securities or other senior securities), by action of the Board without the approval of Shareholders. The Board may determine the terms, rights, preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions of such securities as the Board sees fit. The Fund does not intend to issue preferred Shares as of the date of this prospectus.

 

Preferred Shares could be issued with rights and preferences that would adversely affect Shareholders. Preferred Shares could also be used as an anti-takeover device. Every issuance of preferred Shares will be required to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that (i) immediately after issuance of preferred Shares and before any distribution is made with respect to the Shares and before any purchase of Shares is made, the aggregate involuntary liquidation preference of such preferred Shares together with the aggregate involuntary liquidation preference or aggregate value of all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of the Fund’s total assets after deducting the amount of such distribution or purchase price, as the case may be; and (ii) the holders of preferred Shares, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two Trustees at all times and to elect a majority of the Trustees if distributions on such preferred Shares are in arrears by two years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred Shares.

 

OUTSTANDING SECURITIES

 

The following table sets forth information about the Fund’s outstanding Shares as of ________________, 2019:

 

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Title of Class

  Amount 
Authorized
  Amount Held by the 
Fund for its 
Own Account
   Amount 
Outstanding
 
Class A Shares of Beneficial Interest  Unlimited          
              
Class I Shares of Beneficial Interest  Unlimited          
              
Class SDR Shares of Beneficial Interest  Unlimited          

 

Limitation on Liability of Trustees and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses

 

Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, Trustees and officers of the Fund will not be subject in such capacity to any personal liability to the Fund or Shareholders, unless the liability arises from bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for the Trustee’s or officer’s duty.

 

Except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust, the Fund will indemnify and hold harmless any current or former Trustee or officer of the Fund against any liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees relating to the defense of any claim, action, suit or proceeding with which such person is involved or threatened), while and with respect to acting in the capacity of a Trustee or officer of the Fund, except with respect to matters in which such person did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Fund. In accordance with the 1940 Act, the Fund will not indemnify any Trustee or officer for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties of his or her position. The Fund will provide indemnification to Trustees and officers prior to a final determination regarding entitlement to indemnification as described in the Declaration of Trust.

 

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, HFMC is not liable to the Fund or its shareholders for an error of judgment or mistake of law or for a loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which its agreements relate, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of HFMC in the performance of its duties or from its reckless disregard of the obligations and duties under the applicable agreement.

 

Pursuant to the investment sub-advisory agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall exercise its best judgment in rendering services under the sub-advisory agreement. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by HFMC or the Fund in connection with the matters to which the sub-advisory agreement relates except a loss resulting from the Sub-Adviser’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties, under the sub-advisory agreement, provided, however, that nothing in the sub-advisory agreement shall be deemed to protect the Sub-Adviser against any liability to HFMC or its affiliates for, and the Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and hold harmless HFMC against claims, losses, expenses, obligations and liabilities (including reasonable attorney’s fees) resulting from: (1) the Sub-Adviser causing the Fund to be in material violation of any applicable federal or state law, rule or regulation or in violation of any investment policy set forth in the Fund’s current registration statement; (2) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration statement or certain other materials or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Sub-Adviser that was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if the statement or omission was made in reliance upon information provided by the Sub-Adviser in writing for use in such materials; (3) a material breach of the investment sub-advisory agreement; or (4) any willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or reckless disregard on the part of the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its duties and obligations under the investment sub-advisory agreement (except to the extent that the loss results from HFMC’s or the Fund’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence, or reckless disregard in the performance of their respective duties and obligations under the sub-advisory agreement or the investment management agreement).

 

Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, the Fund will advance the expenses of defending any action for which indemnification is sought if the Fund receives an undertaking by the indemnitee which provides that the indemnitee will reimburse the Fund unless it is subsequently determined that the indemnitee is entitled to such indemnification.

 

Appointment of Trustees; Vacancies; Removal

 

As set forth in the Declaration of Trust, a Trustee’s term of office shall continue until his or her death, resignation or removal. Subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, individuals may be appointed by the Trustees at any time to fill vacancies on the Board by the appointment of such persons by a majority of the Trustees then in office. Each Trustee shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been appointed pursuant to the Declaration of Trust. To the extent that the 1940 Act requires that Trustees be elected by Shareholders, any such Trustees will be elected by a plurality of all Shares voted at a meeting of Shareholders at which a quorum is present.

 

The Declaration of Trust provides that any Trustee may be removed (provided that after the removal the aggregate number of Trustees is not less than the minimum required by the Declaration of Trust) (i) with or without cause, by at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the

 

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remaining Trustees; or (ii) with or without cause, at any meeting of Shareholders, by at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

Action by Shareholders

 

The By-Laws provide that Shareholder action can be taken at a meeting of Shareholders or by written consent in lieu of a meeting, provided that the consent is authorized in writing by the holders of outstanding Shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all Shares entitled to vote on that action were present and voted. Subject to the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust or a resolution of the Board specifying a greater or lesser vote requirement, the affirmative vote of a majority of Shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the Shareholders with respect to any matter submitted to a vote of the Shareholders.

 

Amendment of Declaration of Trust and By-Laws

 

Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, the Board may, subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, amend the Declaration of Trust without any vote of Shareholders. Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Board has the power to amend or repeal the By-Laws or adopt new By-Laws at any time.

 

No Appraisal Rights

 

In certain extraordinary transactions, some jurisdictions provide the right to dissenting Shareholders to demand and receive the fair value of their Shares, subject to certain procedures and requirements set forth in such statute. Those rights are commonly referred to as appraisal rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that Shares shall not entitle Shareholders to appraisal rights.

 

Conflict with Applicable Laws and Regulations

 

The Declaration of Trust provides that if and to the extent that any provision of the Declaration of Trust conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the provisions under the Code applicable to the Fund as a RIC or other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of the Declaration of Trust; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of the Declaration of Trust or affect the validity of any action taken or omitted to be taken prior to such determination.

 

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TAX MATTERS

 

The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the Fund and an investment in the Fund. The discussion below provides general tax information related to an investment in the Fund, but does not purport to be a complete description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Fund and does not address any state, local, non-U.S. or other tax consequences. It is based on the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder and administrative pronouncements, all as of the date of this prospectus, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a Shareholder’s particular circumstances, including (but not limited to) alternative minimum tax consequences and tax consequences applicable to Shareholders subject to special tax rules, such as certain financial institutions; dealers or traders in securities who use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting; persons holding Shares as part of a hedging transaction, wash sale, conversion transaction or integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to Shares; entities classified as partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes; insurance companies; U.S. Shareholders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; or tax-exempt entities, including “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs.” As with any taxable investment, Shareholders may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax on their income (including taxable income from the Fund), depending on their individual circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, the following discussion applies only to a Shareholder that holds Shares as a capital asset and is a U.S. Shareholder. A “U.S. Shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of Shares who is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

·an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

·a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

·an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

·a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective Shareholder that is a partner in a partnership holding Shares should consult his, her or its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares.

 

The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Tax laws are complex and often change, and Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.

 

Taxation of the Fund

 

The Fund intends to elect, to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intends to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes as dividends to Shareholders. To qualify as a RIC in any tax year, the Fund must, among other things, satisfy both a source of income test and asset diversification tests. The Fund will qualify as a RIC if (i) at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for such tax year consists of dividends; interest; payments with respect to certain securities loans; gains from the sale or other disposition of shares, securities or foreign currencies; other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or currencies; and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly-traded partnerships” (such income, “Qualifying RIC Income”); and (ii) the Fund’s holdings are diversified so that, at the end of each quarter of such tax year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash equivalents, securities of other RICs, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested (x) in securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or (y) in the securities of one or more “qualified publicly-traded partnerships.” The Fund’s share of income derived from a partnership other than a “qualified publicly-traded partnership” will be treated as Qualifying RIC Income only to the extent that such income would have constituted Qualifying RIC Income if derived directly by the Fund. A “qualified publicly-traded partnership” is generally defined as an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes if (1) interests in such entity are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (2) less than 90% of its gross income for the relevant tax year consists of Qualifying RIC Income. The Code provides that the Treasury Department may by regulation exclude from Qualifying RIC Income foreign currency gains that are not directly related to the RIC’s principal business of investing in shares or securities (or options and futures with respect to shares

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or securities). The Fund anticipates that, in general, its foreign currency gains will be directly related to its principal business of investing in shares and securities.

 

In addition, to maintain RIC tax treatment, the Fund must distribute on a timely basis with respect to each tax year dividends of an amount at least equal to 90% of the sum of its “investment company taxable income” and its net tax-exempt interest income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, to Shareholders (the “90% distribution requirement”). If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and satisfies the 90% distribution requirement, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its “investment company taxable income” and net capital gains (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes as dividends to Shareholders (including amounts that are reinvested pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan). In general, a RIC’s “investment company taxable income” for any tax year is its taxable income, determined without regard to net capital gains and with certain other adjustments. The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its “investment company taxable income,” net tax-exempt interest income (if any) and net capital gains on an annual basis. Any taxable income, including any net capital gains that the Fund does not distribute in a timely manner, will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates.

 

If the Fund retains any net capital gains for reinvestment, it may elect to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to Shareholders. If the Fund makes such an election, each Shareholder will be required to report its share of such undistributed net capital gains attributed to the Fund as long-term capital gain and will be entitled to claim its share of the U.S. federal income taxes paid by the Fund on such undistributed net capital gains as a credit against its own U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and to claim a refund on a properly-filed U.S. federal income tax return to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability. In addition, each Shareholder will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of its Shares by the difference between its share of such undistributed net capital gain and the related credit. There can be no assurance that the Fund will make this election if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain for a tax year.

 

As a RIC, the Fund will be, subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on certain undistributed amounts for each calendar year (the “4% excise tax”). To avoid the 4% excise tax, the Fund must distribute in respect of each calendar year dividends of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary taxable income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) generally for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous calendar years that were not distributed during those calendar years. For purposes of determining whether the Fund has met this distribution requirement, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income or gains previously subject to U.S. federal income tax. Furthermore, any distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Shareholders, of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated for tax purposes as if it had been paid on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared. The Fund generally intends to avoid the imposition of the 4% excise tax, but there can be no assurance in this regard.

 

If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC or fails to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in respect of any tax year, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income, including its net capital gains, even if such income were distributed, and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of certain corporate Shareholders and may be eligible to be qualified dividend income in the case of certain non-corporate Shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (any of which could be subject to interest charges) before re-qualifying for taxation as a RIC. If the Fund fails to satisfy either the income test or asset diversification test described above, in certain cases, however, the Fund may be able to avoid losing its status as a RIC by timely providing notice of such failure to the IRS, curing such failure and possibly paying an additional tax or penalty.

 

Some of the investments that the Fund is expected to make, such as investments in debt instruments having market discount and/or treated as issued with OID, may cause the Fund to recognize income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to the receipt of any corresponding cash or other property. As a result, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the 90% distribution requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment. Because this income will be included in the Fund’s investment company taxable income for the tax year it is accrued, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to Shareholders to meet the distribution requirements described above, even though the Fund will not have received any corresponding cash or property. The Fund may be required to borrow money, dispose of other securities or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose.

 

There may be uncertainty as to the appropriate treatment of certain of the Fund’s investments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In particular, the Fund expects to invest a portion of its net assets in below investment grade instruments. U.S. federal income tax rules with respect to such instruments are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent the Fund should recognize interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund, to the extent necessary, in connection with the Fund’s general intention to distribute sufficient income to qualify, and maintain its qualification to be subject to tax as a RIC and to minimize the risk that it becomes subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

 

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Income received by the Fund from sources outside the United States may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries, thereby reducing income available to the Fund. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. The Fund generally intends to conduct its investment activities to minimize the impact of foreign taxation, but there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in this regard. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its tax year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to elect to “pass-through” to the Fund the foreign source amount of income deemed earned and the respective amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of each quarter of its tax year is represented by interests in other RICs, the Fund may elect to “pass-through” to Shareholders the foreign source amount of income deemed earned and the respective amount of foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund. If the Fund so elects, each Shareholder would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, each Shareholder’s pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund, but would be treated as having paid its pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various limitations) as a foreign tax credit against federal income tax (but not both).

 

The Fund may invest in shares of foreign companies that are classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”). In general, a foreign company is considered a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income. In general under the PFIC rules, an “excess distribution” received with respect to PFIC shares is treated as having been realized ratably over the period during which the Fund held the PFIC shares. The Fund generally will be subject to tax on the portion, if any, of the excess distribution that is allocated to the Fund’s holding period in prior tax years (and an interest factor will be added to the tax, as if the tax had actually been payable in such prior tax years) even though the Fund distributes the corresponding income to Shareholders. Excess distributions include any gain from the sale of PFIC shares as well as certain distributions from a PFIC. All excess distributions are taxable as ordinary income.

 

The Fund may be eligible to elect alternative tax treatment with respect to PFIC shares. Under one such election (i.e., a “QEF” election), the Fund generally would be required to include in its gross income its share of the earnings of a PFIC on a current basis, regardless of whether any distributions are received from the PFIC. If this election is made, the special rules, discussed above, relating to the taxation of excess distributions, would not apply. Alternatively, the Fund may be able to elect to mark its PFIC shares to market, resulting in any unrealized gains at the Fund’s tax year end being treated as though they were recognized and reported as ordinary income. Any mark-to-market losses and any loss from an actual disposition of the PFIC’s Shares would be deductible as ordinary losses to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains included in income in prior tax years with respect to shares in the same PFIC.

 

Because the application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the character of gains, the amount of gain or loss and the timing of the recognition of income, gain or loss with respect to PFIC shares, as well as subject the Fund itself to tax on certain income from PFIC shares, the amount that must be distributed to Fund Shareholders, and which will be recognized by Fund Shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC shares. Note that distributions from a PFIC are not eligible for the reduced rate of tax on distributions of “qualified dividend income” as discussed below.

 

Some of the CLOs in which the Fund invests may be PFICs, which are generally subject to the tax consequences described above. Investment in certain equity interests of CLOs that are subject to treatment as PFICs for U.S. federal income tax purposes may cause the Fund to recognize income in a tax year in excess of the Fund’s distributions from such CLOs, PFICs and the Fund’s proceeds from sales or other dispositions of equity interests in other CLOs and other PFICs during that tax year. As a result, the Fund generally would be required to distribute such income to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to RICs. Additionally, the IRS has issued proposed regulations that, if finalized, would generally treat the Fund’s income inclusion from an investment in a PFIC with respect to which the Fund has made a QEF election as qualifying income only if there is a distribution out of the earnings and profits of the PFIC that are attributable to such income inclusion. The proposed regulations, if adopted, would apply to taxable years beginning on or after 90 days after the regulations are published as final. If such regulations are finalized, the Fund may be restricted in its ability to make QEF elections with respect to PFICs in order to ensure the Fund qualifies as a RIC.

 

If the Fund holds more than 10% of the interests treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a foreign corporation that is treated as a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”), including equity tranche investments and certain debt tranche investments in a CLO treated as CFC, the Fund may be treated as receiving a deemed distribution (taxable as ordinary income) each tax year from such foreign corporation of an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the foreign corporation’s earnings for such tax year (including both ordinary earnings and capital gains), whether or not the corporation makes an actual distribution to the Fund during such tax year. This deemed distribution is required to be included in the income of certain U.S. shareholders of a CFC, such as the Fund, regardless of whether a U.S. shareholder has made a QEF election with respect to such CFC. The Fund is generally required to distribute such income in order to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to RICs, even to the extent the Fund’s income from a CFC exceeds the distributions from the CFC and the Fund’s proceeds from the sales or other dispositions of CFC stock during that tax year. In general, a foreign corporation will be treated as a CFC for U.S. federal income tax purposes if more than 50% of the shares of the foreign corporation, measured by reference to combined voting power or value, is owned (directly, indirectly or by attribution) by U.S. Shareholders. A “U.S. Shareholder,” for this purpose, is any U.S. person that possesses (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the combined value or voting power of all classes of shares of a corporation. Additionally, the IRS has issued proposed regulations that, if

 

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finalized, would generally treat a fund’s income inclusion with respect to a CFC as qualifying income only if there is a distribution out of the earnings and profits of the CFC that are attributable to such income inclusion. The proposed regulations, if adopted, would apply to taxable years beginning on or after 90 days after the regulations are published as final. If such regulations are finalized, we may limit and/or manage our holdings in issuers that could be treated as CFCs.

 

The functional currency of the Fund, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is the U.S. dollar. Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that occur between the time the Fund accrues interest income or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities generally are respectively characterized as ordinary income or ordinary loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Similarly, on the sale of other disposition of certain investments, including debt securities, certain forward contracts, as well as other derivative financial instruments, denominated in a foreign currency, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also are generally treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains and losses, referred to under the Code as “section 988” gains and losses, may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income subject to distribution to Fund Shareholders as ordinary income. For example, fluctuations in exchange rates may increase the amount of income that the Fund must distribute to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and to prevent application of an excise tax on undistributed income. Alternatively, fluctuations in exchange rates may decrease or eliminate income available for distribution. If section 988 losses exceed other investment company taxable income during a tax year, the Fund would not be able to distribute amounts considered dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and any distributions during a tax year made by the Fund before such losses were recognized would be re-characterized as a return of capital to Fund Shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, rather than as ordinary dividend income, and would reduce the Fund Shareholder’s tax basis in Fund Shares.

 

If the Fund uses leverage through the issuance of preferred Shares or borrowings, it will be prohibited from declaring a distribution or dividend if it would fail the applicable asset coverage test(s) under the 1940 Act after the payment of such distribution or dividend. In addition, certain covenants in credit facilities or indentures may impose greater restrictions on the Fund’s ability to declare and pay dividends on Fund Shares. Limits on the Fund’s ability to pay dividends on Fund Shares may prevent the Fund from meeting the distribution requirements described above and, as a result, may affect the Fund’s ability to be subject to tax as a RIC or subject the Fund to the 4% excise tax. The Fund endeavors to avoid restrictions on its ability to make distribution payments. If the Fund is precluded from making distributions on Fund Shares because of any applicable asset coverage requirements, the terms of preferred Shares (if any) may provide that any amounts so precluded from being distributed, but required to be distributed by the Fund to enable the Fund to satisfy the distribution requirements that would enable the Fund to be subject to tax as a RIC, will be paid to the holders of preferred Shares as a special distribution. This distribution can be expected to decrease the amount that holders of preferred Shares would be entitled to receive upon repurchase or liquidation of such preferred Shares.

 

Certain of the Fund’s investments are expected to be subject to special U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (1) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (2) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gains into higher-taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (3) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss, the deductibility of which is more limited, (4) adversely affect when a purchase or sale of shares or securities is deemed to occur, (5) adversely alter the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions, (6) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (7) treat dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income as non-qualified dividend income, (8) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction as ineligible for such treatment and (9) produce income that will not constitute Qualifying RIC Income. The application of these rules could cause the Fund to be subject to U.S. federal income tax or the 4% excise tax and, under certain circumstances, could affect the Fund’s status as a RIC. The Fund monitors its investments and may make certain tax elections to mitigate the effect of these provisions.

 

The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund has qualified and maintain its qualification as a RIC and has satisfied the distribution requirements described above.

 

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

 

Distributions

 

Distributions of the Fund’s ordinary income and net short-term capital gains will, except as described below with respect to distributions of “qualified dividend income,” generally be taxable to Shareholders as ordinary income to the extent such distributions are paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Distributions (or deemed distributions, as described above), if any, of net capital gains will be taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time a Shareholder has owned Shares. The ultimate tax characterization of the Fund’s distributions made in a tax year cannot be determined until after the end of the tax year. As a result, the Fund may make total distributions during a tax year in an amount that exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a Shareholder as a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce the Shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the Shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares, the excess will be treated as gain from a sale or exchange of Shares. Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of

 

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whether such distributions are paid in cash or invested in additional Shares. Generally, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a Shareholder receiving Shares under the dividend reinvestment plan will generally be treated as having received a distribution equal to the fair market value of such Shares on the date the Shares are credited to the Shareholder’s account.

 

A return of capital to Shareholders is a return of a portion of their original investment in the Fund, thereby reducing the tax basis of their investment. As a result from such reduction in tax basis, Shareholders may be subject to tax in connection with the sale of Fund Shares, even if such Shares are sold at a loss relative to the Shareholder’s original investment.

 

It is expected that a substantial portion of the Fund’s income will consist of ordinary income. For example, interest and OID derived by the Fund characterized as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, gain derived by the Fund from the disposition of debt instruments with “market discount” (generally, securities with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance acquired by the Fund at a price below the lesser of their stated redemption price at maturity or accreted value, in the case of securities with OID) will be characterized as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of the market discount that has accrued, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, at the time of such disposition, unless the Fund makes an election to accrue market discount on a current basis. In addition, certain of the Fund’s investments will be subject to other special U.S. federal income tax provisions that may affect the character, increase the amount and/or accelerate the timing of distributions to Shareholders.

 

Distributions made by the Fund to a corporate Shareholder will qualify for the dividends-received deduction only to the extent that the distributions consist of qualifying dividends received by the Fund. In addition, any portion of the Fund’s dividends otherwise qualifying for the dividends-received deduction will be disallowed or reduced if the corporate Shareholder fails to satisfy certain requirements, including a holding period requirement, with respect to its Shares. Distributions of “qualified dividend income” to an individual or other non-corporate Shareholder will be treated as “qualified dividend income” to such Shareholder and generally will be taxed at long-term capital gain rates, provided the Shareholder satisfies the applicable holding period and other requirements. “Qualified dividend income” generally includes dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from foreign corporations that meet certain specified criteria. Given the Fund’s investment strategy, it is not expected that a significant portion of the distributions made by the Fund will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the reduced rates applicable to “qualified dividend income.”

 

If a person acquires Shares shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the Shares may include the value of the distribution, and the person will be subject to tax on the distribution even though economically it may represent a return of his, her or its investment in such Shares.

 

Distributions paid by the Fund generally will be treated as received by a Shareholder at the time the distribution is made. However, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a distribution that is paid during the following tax year as if it had been paid during the tax year in which the income or gains supporting the distribution was earned. If the Fund makes such an election, the Shareholder will still be treated as receiving the distribution in the tax year in which the distribution is received. In this instance, however, any distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated for tax purposes as if it had been received by Shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared.

 

Shareholders will be notified annually, as promptly as practicable after the end of each calendar year, as to the U.S. federal tax status of distributions, and Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional Shares will receive a report as to the NAV of those Shares.

 

Sale or Exchange of Shares

 

The repurchase or transfer of Shares may result in a taxable gain or loss to the tendering Shareholder. Different tax consequences may apply for tendering and non-tendering Shareholders in connection with a repurchase offer. For example, if a Shareholder does not tender all of his or her Shares, such repurchase may be treated as a dividend (as opposed to a sale or exchange) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and may result in deemed distributions to non-tendering Shareholders. On the other hand, Shareholders holding Shares as capital assets who tender all of their Shares (including Shares deemed owned by Shareholders under constructive ownership rules) will be treated as having sold their Shares and generally will recognize capital gain or loss. The amount of the gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the amount received for the Shares and the Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the relevant Shares. Such gain or loss generally will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the Shareholder has held such Shares as capital assets for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.

 

Losses realized by a Shareholder on the sale or exchange of Shares held as capital assets for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital gains received (or deemed received, as discussed above) with respect to such Shares. In addition, no loss will be allowed on a sale or other disposition of Shares if the Shareholder acquires (including through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) Shares, or enters into a contract or option to acquire Shares, within 30 days before or after any disposition of such Shares at a loss. In such a case, the basis of the Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed

 

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loss. Under current law, net capital gains recognized by non-corporate Shareholders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax at lower rates than the rates applicable to ordinary income.

 

In general, U.S. Shareholders currently are generally subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of either 15% or 20% (depending on whether the Shareholder’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts) on their net capital gain (i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gains over realized net short-term capital losses), including any long-term capital gain derived from an investment in Shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. Shareholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 21% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate Shareholders with net capital losses for a tax year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each tax year. Any net capital losses of a non-corporate Shareholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent tax years as provided in the Code. Corporate Shareholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a tax year, but may carry back such losses for three tax years or carry forward such losses for five tax years.

 

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from repurchases or other taxable dispositions of Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts. U.S. persons that are individuals, estates or trusts are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax to their income and gains in respect of their investment in the Fund.

 

The Fund (or if a U.S. Shareholder holds Shares through an intermediary, such intermediary) will send to each of its U.S. Shareholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice detailing, on a per Share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in such U.S. Shareholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the IRS, including the amount of distributions, if any, eligible for the preferential maximum rate generally applicable to long-term capital gains. Distributions paid by the Fund generally will not be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends because the Fund’s income generally will not consist of dividends. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. Shareholder’s particular situation.

 

Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a Shareholder recognizes losses with respect to Shares of $2 million or more for an individual Shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate Shareholder, the Shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct Shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

Reporting of adjusted cost basis information is required for covered securities, which generally include shares of a RIC acquired after January 1, 2012, to the IRS and to taxpayers. Shareholders should contact their financial intermediaries with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on Shares and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of Shares. A Shareholder will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments if it fails to provide the payor with its correct taxpayer identification number (generally, in the case of a U.S. resident Shareholder, on an IRS Form W-9) and to make required certifications or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Corporate Shareholders and certain other Shareholders generally are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against the applicable Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

 

Whether an investment in the Fund is appropriate for a non-U.S. Shareholder (as defined below) will depend upon that investor’s particular circumstances. An investment in the Fund by a non-U.S. Shareholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors before investing in Shares.

 

The U.S. federal income taxation of a Shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate or a foreign corporation, as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a “non-U.S. Shareholder”), depends on whether the income that the Shareholder derives from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the Shareholder.

 

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If the income that a non-U.S. Shareholder derives from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such non-U.S. Shareholder, distributions of “investment company taxable income” (including any deemed distributions with respect to a repurchase offer) will generally be subject to a U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate provided under an applicable treaty). Alternatively, if the income that a non-U.S. Shareholder derives from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. Shareholder, the Fund will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the non-U.S. Shareholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, although such income will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the manner described below and at the rates applicable to U.S. residents. Backup withholding will not, however, be applied to payments that have been subject to this 30% withholding tax applicable to non-U.S. Shareholders.

 

A non-U.S. Shareholder whose income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business will generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on capital gains distributions, any amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of Shares. If, however, such a non-U.S. Shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for 183 days or more during the tax year and meets certain other requirements such capital gains distributions, undistributed capital gains and gains from the sale or exchange of Shares will be subject to a 30% U.S. tax.

 

Furthermore, properly designated distributions by the Fund and received by non-U.S. Shareholders are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax when they (a) are paid by the Fund in respect of the Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (i.e., the Fund’s U.S. source interest income, subject to certain exceptions, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income), or (b) are paid by the Fund in connection with the Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gains over the Fund’s long-term capital losses for such tax year). However, depending on the circumstances, the Fund may designate all, some or none of the Fund’s potentially eligible distributions as derived from such qualified net interest income or from such qualified short-term capital gains, and a portion of such distributions (e.g., derived from interest from non-U.S. sources or any foreign currency gains) would be ineligible for this potential exemption from withholding. Moreover, in the case of Shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld amounts even if the Fund reported all or a portion of a distribution as exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax. To qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. Shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. tax residency status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8IMY or IRS Form W-8EXP, or an acceptable substitute or successor form). Thus, an investment in the Shares by a non-U.S. Shareholder may have adverse tax consequences as compared to a direct investment in the assets in which the Fund will invest.

 

If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a non-U.S. Shareholder, any distributions of “investment company taxable income,” capital gains distributions, amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of Shares will be subject to U.S. income tax, on a net income basis, in the same manner, and at the graduated rates applicable to, U.S. persons. If such a non-U.S. Shareholder is a corporation, it may also be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax.

 

A non-U.S. Shareholder other than a corporation may be subject to backup withholding on net capital gains distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax or on distributions that would otherwise be taxable at a reduced treaty rate if such Shareholder does not certify its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establish an exemption.

 

If the Fund distributes net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a non-U.S. Shareholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the Shareholder’s allocable share of the tax the Fund pays on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. To obtain the refund, the non-U.S. Shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. Shareholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a federal income tax return.

 

Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Code, withholding of U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) is required on payments of taxable dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements in the Code designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.

 

The tax consequences to a non-U.S. Shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Non-U.S. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund, including the potential application of the U.S. estate tax.

 

Other Taxes

 

Under a Notice issued by the IRS, the Code and Treasury regulations to be issued, a portion of the Fund’s income from a U.S. real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMICs”)

 

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or equity interests in a “taxable mortgage pool” (referred to in the Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. The excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as the Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest or, if applicable, taxable mortgage pool directly.

 

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income to entities (including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) plans, Keogh plans or other tax-exempt entities) subject to tax on unrelated business income (“UBTI”), thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign stockholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. In addition, if at any time during any taxable year a “disqualified organization” (which generally includes certain cooperatives, governmental entities, and tax-exempt organizations not subject to UBTI) is a record holder of a share in a regulated investment company, then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax equal to that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to the disqualified organization, multiplied by the highest federal income tax rate imposed on corporations. The Notice imposes certain reporting requirements upon regulated investment companies that have excess inclusion income. There can be no assurance that the Fund will not allocate to shareholders excess inclusion income.

 

These rules are potentially applicable to the Fund with respect to any income it receives from the equity interests of certain mortgage pooling vehicles, either directly or through an investment in a U.S. REIT.

 

Shareholders may be subject to state, local and non-U.S. taxes applicable to their investment in the Fund. In those states or localities, entity-level tax treatment and the treatment of distributions made to Shareholders under those jurisdictions’ tax laws may differ from the treatment under the Code. Accordingly, an investment in Shares may have tax consequences for Shareholders that are different from those of a direct investment in the Fund’s portfolio investments. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

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CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS

 

The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class A, Class I and Class SDR. Each class of shares is designed for specific types of investors and has its own fee structure, allowing you to choose the class that best meets your situation. The class that may be best for you depends on a number of factors, including the amount and the length of time that you expect to invest. Not all financial intermediaries make all classes of shares available to their clients. Third parties making Fund shares available to their clients determine which share class(es) to make available.

 

Class A shares are available through registered broker-dealers, banks, advisers and other financial institutions. Class A shares of the Fund are purchased at net asset value, plus an initial sales charge and subject to 12b-1 fees. There is no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of $1 million or more; however, a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of up to 1.00% may be imposed if such Class A shares are repurchased within eighteen (18) months of their purchase. Class A shares are intended for (i) all investors other than retirement plans who meet the investment minimum for Class A shares, (ii) investors investing through omnibus accounts held by financial intermediaries that charge transaction fees and have entered into arrangements with the Fund’s distributor to offer Class A shares and [(iii) employer-sponsored retirement plans held directly at a broker-dealer (that is, outside of a retirement plan recordkeeping platform or third party administrator), subject to all applicable sales charges as described in this prospectus.] Class A shares have a minimum initial investment requirement of $5,000 and subsequent investment minimum of $250 for all accounts.

 

Class I shares are offered (i) through financial intermediaries who charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services; (ii) through financial intermediaries that have entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Class I shares through a no-load network or platform; (iii) to institutional investors, which include but are not limited to: family offices and their clients; non-profit organizations, charitable trusts, foundations and endowments; and accounts registered to bank trust departments, trust companies, registered investment advisers and investment companies; and (iv) to current or retired officers, directors and employees (and their spouse (or legal equivalent recognized under state law) and any children under 21) of the Fund, The Hartford, the Sub-Adviser to the Fund, Hartford Administrative Services Company, and their affiliates. Class I shares are not available to qualified employee benefit plans and other retirement savings plans. Class I shares have a minimum investment requirement of $5,000 for all accounts.

 

Class SDR shares are available for purchase by eligible institutional investors, including employer sponsored retirement plans, pension plans, endowments and foundations, and eligible high net worth investors. SDR shares are also available for purchase by health savings plans and health savings accounts. SDR shares are also available for purchase by current or retired officers, trustees and employees (and their spouses and dependents) of Schroders and its affiliates without minimum investment amounts. The minimum initial investment in the Fund for SDR shares is $5,000,000 and there is no minimum for additional purchases of SDR shares of the Fund. Investors generally may meet the minimum initial investment amount by aggregating multiple accounts with common beneficial or related ownership within the Fund or across SDR shares of the Fund and other Hartford Funds. Notwithstanding the preceding, there is no minimum initial investment for the following types of plans or accounts held through plan level or omnibus accounts on the books of the Fund: 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, health savings plans and health savings accounts. With respect to Class SDR shares, none of the Fund, the Distributor, or any affiliates of the Distributor pay any commission payments, account servicing fees, recordkeeping fees, 12b-1 fees, sub-transfer agent fees, administration fees or other asset-based or sales-based fees to any financial intermediary except for a legacy arrangement with an affiliate of SIMNA (Please see “Distribution Support Provided By SFA” for more information). In certain instances, the Adviser and/or its affiliates may make payments to financial intermediaries that are not based on assets or sales of any particular Fund or share class, or that are in connection with the maintenance of the Fund share class within the financial intermediary’s platform. For more information, please see the section entitled “Payments to Financial Intermediaries and Other Entities” below and “Additional Compensation Payments to Financial Intermediaries” in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

The Fund may waive or lower investment minimums for investors who invest in the Fund through an asset-based fee program made available through a financial intermediary. If your investment is aggregated into an omnibus account established by an investment adviser, broker or other financial intermediary, the account minimums apply to the omnibus account, not to your individual investment. The financial intermediary may also impose minimum requirements that are different from those set forth in this Prospectus. If you choose to purchase or request repurchases of shares directly from the Fund, you will not incur charges on repurchases. However, if you purchase or request repurchases of shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, you may be charged a fee by that intermediary.

 

Information about sales charges, including applicable waivers, breakpoints and discounts to the sales charges, is fully disclosed in this Prospectus, which is available, free of charge, on the Fund’s website at www.hartfordfunds.com.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC, located at 690 Lee Road, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 (the “Distributor”), is the principal underwriter of Shares of the Fund. Shares may be purchased only through the Distributor. The Distributor acts as the distributor of Shares for the Fund on a best efforts basis, subject to various conditions, pursuant to the terms of its contract with the Fund. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of Shares of the Fund. The Distributor will also act as agent for the Fund in connection with repurchases of Shares.

 

Shares of the Fund will be continuously offered through the Distributor, as the exclusive distributor. The Fund has authorized one or more intermediaries (e.g., brokers, investment advisers, etc. collectively “Intermediaries”) to receive orders on its behalf. Such Intermediaries are authorized to designate other Intermediaries to receive orders on the Fund’s behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received an order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker’s authorized designee, receives the order. The Shares are offered at NAV per share (plus any applicable sales charge) calculated each regular business day.

 

The Fund and the Distributor will have the sole right to accept orders to purchase Shares and reserve the right to reject any order in whole or in part.

 

Investors may be charged a fee if they effect transactions through a financial intermediary.

 

The Board of Trustees has approved the adoption by the Fund of a distribution plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for Class A shares. Under the Plan, Class A shares of the Fund bear distribution and/or service fees paid to the Distributor, some of which may be paid to select broker-dealers. Total compensation under the Plan may not exceed the maximum cap imposed by FINRA with respect to asset-based sales charges. Distribution fees paid to the Distributor may be spent on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of the Fund’s Shares. Under the Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor the entire fee, regardless of the Distributor’s expenditures. Even if the Distributor’s actual expenditures exceed the fee payable to the Distributor at any given time, the Fund will not be obligated to pay more than that fee. If the Distributor’s actual expenditures are less than the fee payable to the Distributor at any given time, the Distributor may realize a profit from the arrangement. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund may pay the Distributor a fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution financing activities and shareholder account servicing activities. The entire amount of the fee may be used for shareholder servicing expenses and/or distribution expenses. Over time, 12b-1 fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an on-going basis.

 

No market currently exists for the Fund’s Shares. The Fund’s Shares are not listed and the Fund does not currently intend to list its Shares for trading on any securities exchange, and the Fund does not anticipate that any secondary market will develop for its Shares. Neither the Adviser nor the Distributor intends to make a market in the Fund’s Shares.

 

The Distributor is not obligated to buy any of the Shares and does not intend to make a market in the Shares. The Fund has agreed to indemnify the Distributor and certain of the Distributor’s affiliates against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Distributor has agreed to indemnify the Fund and each Trustee and former Trustee against certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 and in connection with the services rendered to the Fund.

 

PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES AND OTHER ENTITIES

 

The Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates and the Hartford Funds make a variety of payments to broker-dealers and financial institutions (“Financial Intermediaries”) that sell the shares of the Hartford Funds, and/or Financial Intermediaries and other intermediaries that provide services (“Servicing Intermediaries”) to the Hartford Funds. These payments may vary from one product to another. For this reason, (1) if your Financial Intermediary receives greater payments with respect to the Hartford Funds than it receives with respect to other products, it may be more inclined to sell you shares of a Hartford Fund rather than another product and/or (2) if your Servicing Intermediary (which may also be your Financial Intermediary) receives greater payments with respect to the Hartford Funds, such payments may create an incentive for the Servicing Intermediary to favor the Hartford Funds rather than other fund companies or investment products for which it may receive a lower payment. You may contact your Financial Intermediary or Servicing Intermediary if you want additional information regarding any Additional Payments or Servicing Payments it receives.

 

PAYMENTS MADE FROM FUND ASSETS

 

·Commissions and Rule 12b-1 Payments. The Distributor and/or its affiliates pay sales commissions and Rule 12b-1 fees to Financial Intermediaries out of assets that the Distributor and/or its affiliates receive from the Hartford Funds. The Fund’s SAI includes information regarding these commission and Rule 12b-1 payments by share class.

 

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·Administrative Fees to Servicing Intermediaries. The Distributor and/or its affiliates make payments to Servicing Intermediaries that provide sub-accounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services to the Hartford Funds (“Administrative Fees”). Such payments may be made out of 12b-1, administrative and/or transfer agent fees that the Distributor and/or its affiliates receive from the Hartford Funds. Depending upon the particular share class and/or contractual arrangement with a Servicing Intermediary, these payments may be calculated based on average net assets of the Hartford Funds that are serviced by the Servicing Intermediary, or on a per account basis. The Fund’s SAI includes information regarding Fund expenses and distribution arrangements.

 

PAYMENTS MADE BY THE ADVISER AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES

 

As explained in more detail below under the sections entitled “Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries” and “Servicing Payments to Servicing Intermediaries,” the Adviser and/or its affiliates make payments out of their own assets and not as an expense to or out of the assets of the Fund to (1) Financial Intermediaries to encourage the sale of Hartford Fund’s shares (“Additional Payments”) and/or (2) Servicing Intermediaries as additional compensation for sub-accounting, administrative and/or shareholder processing services (“Servicing Payments”).

 

·Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries. The amount of any Additional Payments made by the Adviser and/or its affiliates to a Financial Intermediary is generally based on one or more of the following criteria: (i) the average net assets of the Hartford Funds that are attributed to that Financial Intermediary; (ii) the amount of Hartford Funds shares sold through that Financial Intermediary; and (iii) the mix of equity and fixed income funds sold through or attributed to that Financial Intermediary. The annual amount of Additional Payments made to any one Financial Intermediary is normally not expected to exceed0.13% of the average net assets of the Hartford Funds that are attributed to that Financial Intermediary. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2018, the Adviser and its affiliates incurred approximately $52.3 million in total Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries.

 

Additional Payments to Financial Intermediaries, including those listed in the Fund’s SAI, may be used for various purposes and take various forms, including but not limited to:

 

(1) Payments for putting the Hartford Funds on a Financial Intermediary’s list of funds available for purchase by its customers;

 

(2) Payments for including the Hartford Funds within a group that receives special marketing focus or placing the Hartford Funds on a “preferred list”;

 

(3) “Due diligence” payments for a Financial Intermediary’s examination of Hartford Funds and payments for providing extra employee training and information relating to Hartford Funds;

 

(4) “Marketing support fees” for providing assistance in promoting the sale of Hartford Funds shares;

 

(5) Sponsorships of sales contests and promotions where participants receive prizes such as travel awards, merchandise, cash or recognition;

 

(6) Provision by a Financial Intermediary of sales-related data to the Adviser and/or its affiliates;

 

(7) Provision of educational programs, including information and related support materials;

 

(8) Provision of computer hardware and software; and

 

(9) Occasional meals and entertainment, tickets to sporting events, nominal gifts and travel and lodging (subject to applicable rules and regulations).

 

In certain instances, the Adviser and/or its affiliates may make payments to Financial Intermediaries that are not based on assets or sales of the Fund or share class (e.g. flat fee payments for platform participation, conference sponsorship, data packages, etc.), or that are in connection with the maintenance of the Fund share class within the Financial Intermediary’s platform.

 

As of January 1, 2019, the Adviser and/or its affiliates pay or have entered into ongoing contractual arrangements to pay Additional Payments to the Financial Intermediaries listed below: AIG Advisors Group, Inc.(FSC Securities Corp., Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., Sagepoint Financial, and Woodbury Financial Services); Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.; BancWest Investment Services; Cadaret Grant & Co., Inc.; Cambridge Investment Research Inc.; CCO Investment Services Corp.; Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.; Commonwealth Financial Network; CUSO Financial Services, L.P.; Edward D. Jones & Co.; Frost Brokerage Services, Inc.; GWFS Equities, Inc.; H.D. Vest Investment Services.; Hilliard Lyons; Huntington Investment Co.; Investment Professionals, Inc.; Janney Montgomery Scott; JPMorgan Securities LLC; Lincoln Financial Advisors Group; LPL Financial Corp.; M&T Securities Inc.; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated; Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; National Financial Services; National Planning Corporation; Newbridge Securities; NEXT Financial Group, Inc.; Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC; Oppenheimer & Co, Inc.; Pershing LLC; Raymond James &Associates Inc. and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.; RBC Capital Markets Corporation; Robert W. Baird; Schroder Fund Advisors LLC; SII Investments Inc.; Stifel, Nicolaus

 

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& Company, Inc.; Summit Brokerage Services; UBS Financial Services Inc.; U.S. Bancorp Investments Inc.; Voya Financial; and Wells Fargo. The Adviser and/or its affiliates may in the future enter into similar ongoing contractual arrangements with other Financial Intermediaries. Financial Intermediaries that received Additional Payments in 2018 of at least $500 in value for items such as sponsorship of meetings, education seminars and travel and entertainment, but may not have an ongoing contractual relationship with the Adviser or one of its affiliates, are listed in the SAI.

 

·Servicing Payments to Servicing Intermediaries. The Adviser, HASCO and/or their affiliates pay Servicing Payments to Servicing Intermediaries. The amount of the Servicing Payments is generally based on average net assets of the Hartford Funds that are serviced by a Servicing Intermediary. With certain limited exceptions, the annual amount of Servicing Payments made to any specific Servicing Intermediary is not expected to exceed 0.25% of the average net assets of the Hartford Funds that are serviced by that Servicing Intermediary.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Adviser, HASCO and/or their affiliates incurred approximately $9.4 million in total Servicing Payments and these Servicing Payments did not exceed $2.9 million for any one Servicing Intermediary.

 

As of January 1, 2019, the Adviser, HASCO and/or their affiliates pay or have entered into ongoing contractual arrangements to pay Servicing Payments to the following entities: 401k ASP, Inc.; ADP Broker Dealer, Inc.; Alerus Financial; Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.; Ascensus, Inc.; Benefit Plans Administrative Services, LLC; Benefit Trust Co.; BenefitStreet, Inc.; Charles Schwab; Companion Life Insurance Company; CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, Inc.; Daily Access Corp.; Digital Retirement Solutions; Edward D. Jones & Co; Expert Plan, Inc.; Fidelity; Gold Trust Company; Goldman Sachs & Co.; Great-West Financial Retirement Plan Services, LLC; GWFS Equities, Inc.; Hewitt Associates LLC; ICMA Retirement Corporation; International Clearing Trust Company; John Hancock Trust Company; Lincoln Retirement Services Company, LLC; LPL Financial Corp.; Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated; Mercer HR Services, LLC; Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation; Minnesota Life Insurance Company; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; MSCS Financial Services, LLC; Nationwide Financial Services, Inc.; Newport Group; NYLife Distributors, LLC.; Plan Administrators, Inc.; Pershing LLC; PNC Bank, N.A.; Principal Life Insurance Company; Prudential Insurance Company of America; Qualified Benefits Consultants; Raymond James & Associates Inc. and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.; RBC Capital Markets Corporation; Reliance Trust Company; Standard Insurance Company; Standard Retirement Services, Inc.; Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc.; T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc. & T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc.; TD Ameritrade Trust Company; Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America; The Retirement Plan Company, LLC; The Vanguard Group; Transamerica Retirement Solutions; United of Omaha Life Insurance Company; Valic Retirement Services Company; Voya Financial; Wells Fargo; Wilmington Trust; and Xerox HR Solutions. The Adviser, HASCO and/or their affiliates may in the future enter into similar arrangements with other Servicing Intermediaries.

 

·Distribution Support Provided By SFA. Schroder Fund Advisors LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SIMNA (“SFA”), has entered into an additional compensation arrangement with HFMC, the Fund’s investment adviser. Under this arrangement, SFA has entered into a selling agreement with Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC (“HFD”) pursuant to which SFA is involved in the distribution of the shares of the Fund, and SFA and HFMC have entered into an additional compensation agreement, pursuant to which HFMC pays SFA an annual fee based on a percentage of the gross spread between the management fees and sub-advisory fees with respect to Class SDR Shares of the Fund.

 

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SALES CHARGES – CLASS A SHARES

 

Purchase of Class A Shares

 

Class A shares of the Fund are purchased at the public offering price. The public offering price is the next determined NAV per share plus a sales charge as shown in the table below. Certain persons may be entitled to purchase Class A shares of the Fund without paying a sales charge. See “Waivers of Class A Sales Charge.” The table below also shows the portion of the sales charge that may be re-allowed to the broker-dealer or financial intermediary through whom you purchased your Class A shares.

 

   Sales Charge as a % of:     
Amount of Investment  Public
Offering
Price
   Net
Amount
Invested
   Dealer Reallowance As
% of Public Offering
Price
 
Le Less than $50,000   3.00%   3.09%   2.50%
$1 $50,000 – $99,000   2.50%   2.56%   2.00%
$2 $100,000 – $249,999   2.25%   2.30%   1.75%
$5 $250,000 – $499,999   1.75%   1.78%   1.25%
$1,$500,000 – $999,999   1.25%   1.27%   1.00%
$5 $1 million or more*   0.00%   0.00%   0.00%

 

*A maximum CDSC of 1.00% will be imposed on repurchases of these shares (exclusive of shares purchased with reinvested dividends and/or distributions) within the first 18 months after the initial sale. The Adviser intends to pay a commission to financial intermediaries who place an order for a single purchaser based on the rates set forth in the section below entitled “Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and Dealer Reallowance.”

 

The following sections discuss ways to obtain discounts on purchases and waivers of contingent deferred sales charges on Class A shares of the Fund.

 

The availability of sales charge waivers and discounts may depend on the particular financial intermediary or type of account through which you purchase or hold Fund Shares. The Fund’s sales charge waivers and discounts described in this Prospectus are available for Fund Share purchases made directly from the Fund (or the Distributor) and are generally available through financial intermediaries. [The sales charge waivers and discounts available through certain other financial intermediaries are set forth in Appendix A-Waivers and Discounts Available from Intermediaries, attached to this Prospectus, which may differ from the sales charge waivers and discounts available for purchases made directly from the Fund (or the Distributor). Please contact your financial intermediary for information about which classes of Shares of the Fund they offer and to take advantage of the sales charge waivers and discounts described in this Prospectus or in Appendix A.]

 

Rights of Accumulation

 

Any “purchaser” (as defined below) may buy Class A shares of the Fund at a reduced sales charge by aggregating the dollar amount of the new purchase and the total net amount invested of all Class A shares of the Fund then held by the purchaser and applying the sales charge applicable to such aggregate. To obtain such discount, the purchaser must provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to permit verification that the purchase qualifies for the reduced sales charge. The rights of accumulation is subject to modification or discontinuance at any time with respect to all shares purchased thereafter. For purposes of determining the applicable sales charge discount, a “purchaser” includes an individual, the individual’s spouse (or legal equivalent recognized under state law) and the individual’s children under the age of 21. The Rights of Accumulation may be amended or terminated at any time as to subsequent purchases.

 

Letter of Intent

 

A Letter of Intent (a “LOI”) lets you purchase Class A shares of the Fund over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge as if all shares had been purchased at once. Any person may use a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) to qualify for a reduced sales charge on purchases of Class A shares. Please note: (i) retirement plans that receive breakpoints at the plan level do not qualify for the LOI privilege and (ii) Class A shares acquired through the reinvestment of distributions do not constitute purchases for purposes of the LOI. During the term of a LOI, the Fund’s transfer agent will hold shares in escrow to secure payment of the higher sales charge applicable for shares actually purchased if you do not purchase the amount indicated on the LOI. Dividends and capital gains will be paid on all escrowed shares and these shares will be released when the amount indicated on the LOI has been purchased. A LOI does not obligate you to buy or the Fund to sell the indicated amount of the LOI. If a Class A shareholder exceeds the amount specified in the LOI and reaches an amount that would qualify for a further quantity discount, the applicable breakpoints in the Class A shares’ sales charge schedule will be applied to such additional Class A share purchases. Any resulting difference in offering price will be used to purchase additional Class A shares

 

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for the shareholder’s account at the applicable offering price. If the Class A shareholder does not purchase the amount specified in the LOI within thirty days after a written request by the Fund’s transfer agent, the Fund’s transfer agent will repurchase an appropriate number of escrowed shares for an amount equal to the difference between the sales charge paid and the sales charge that would have been paid had the aggregate purchases been made at a single time. This repurchase may be treated and reported as a taxable transaction to you, as discussed in the “Tax Matters” section of this prospectus. Purchases based on a LOI may include holdings as described above under “Accumulation Privilege.” Additional information about the terms of the LOI is available from your financial intermediary or from the Fund’s transfer agent at 1-888-843-7824.

 

Shareholder’s Responsibility With Respect to Breakpoint Discounts

 

To obtain any of the Class A sales charge discounts set forth above, you must inform your financial intermediary of the existence of any eligible amounts under any Rights of Accumulation or LOI, in accounts held by family members at the time of purchase. You must inform your financial intermediary of all Shares of the Fund held (i) in your account(s) at the financial intermediary, (ii) in your account(s) by another financial intermediary, and (iii) in any other accounts held at any financial intermediary belonging to family members. IF YOU FAIL TO INFORM YOUR FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY OR THE FUND OF ALL ELIGIBLE HOLDINGS OR PLANNED PURCHASES, YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE A SALES CHARGE DISCOUNT TO WHICH YOU WOULD OTHERWISE BE ENTITLED. The Fund will require the names and account numbers of all accounts claimed in connection with a request for a sales charge discount. You may also be required to provide verification of holdings (such as account statements and/or copies of documents that reflect the original purchase cost of your holdings) that qualify you for a sales charge reduction. As such, it is very important that you retain all records that may be needed to substantiate an original purchase price of your holdings, as the Fund, the Transfer Agent, and financial intermediaries may not maintain this information.

 

Waivers of Class A Sales Charge

 

Class A shares of the Fund may be purchased at NAV under the following circumstances, provided that you notify the Fund in advance that the trade qualifies for this privilege. The Fund reserves the right to modify or terminate these arrangements at any time. Additional information about the sales charge reductions or waivers can be obtained from the Fund’s transfer agent.

 

The Class A shares front-end sales charge may be reduced or waived for the following individuals and institutions:

 

·selling broker dealers and their employees and sales representatives (and their family members, as defined above under the “Rights of Accumulation” section); provided, however, that only those employees of such broker-dealers who, as a part of their usual duties, provide services related to transactions in Fund shares shall qualify,
·financial representatives using Fund shares in fee-based investment products under a signed agreement with the Fund,
·current or retired officers, directors and employees (and their family members, as defined above under the “Accumulation Privilege” section) of the Fund, The Hartford, the sub-advisers to Hartford Funds, Hartford Administrative Services Company, and their affiliates. Such individuals may also purchase Class I shares at net asset value,
·welfare benefit plans investing in Fund shares through group variable funding agreements issued by Hartford Life Insurance Company,
·college savings programs that are qualified state tuition programs under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code,
·investors purchasing through a financial intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee to customers, and
·purchases by investors maintaining a brokerage account with a registered broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the distributor to offer Class A shares through a load-waived network or platform, which may or may not charge transaction fees.

 

The availability of these sales load waivers may depend on the particular financial intermediary or type of account through which you purchase or hold Fund shares. Please contact your financial intermediary for more information on the intermediary’s policies and procedures applicable to such waivers. In addition, any intermediary specific sales load waivers are reproduced in Appendix A based on information provided by the financial intermediaries.

 

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge and Dealer Reallowance

 

As long as the Fund’s transfer agent is notified at the time you sell, the CDSC for Class A shares will generally be waived in the following cases:

 

·to make Systematic Withdrawal Plan payments that are limited annually to no more than 12% of the value of the account at the time the plan is initiated or updated.
·for death or disability.
·under reorganization, liquidation, merger or acquisition transactions involving other investment companies.
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·under the following circumstances, for employer-sponsored retirement plans or tax qualified retirement accounts:
(1)to return excess contributions,
(2)hardship withdrawals as defined in employer-sponsored retirement plans,
(3)under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order as defined in the Internal Revenue Code,
(4)to meet minimum distribution requirements under the Internal Revenue Code,
(5)to make “substantially equal payments” as described in Section 72(t) of the Internal Revenue Code, and
(6)after separation from service.

 

The Distributor may pay up to the entire amount of the sales commission to particular broker-dealers. The Distributor may pay dealers of record commissions on purchases of over $1 million in an amount of up to 1.00% on the first $4 million, 0.50% of the next $6 million, and 0.25% of share purchases over $10 million. These commission schedules may also apply to certain sales of Class A shares made to investors that qualify under some of the categories listed under “Front-End Sales Charge Waivers for Class A shares.” Commissions are based on cumulative investments over the life of the account with no adjustment for repurchases, transfers, or market declines.

 

In determining whether a CDSC is payable, the Fund will first repurchase Class A shares not subject to any charge. The Distributor receives the entire amount of any CDSC you pay. Documentation may be required prior to the waiver of the CDSC, including death certificates, physicians’ certificates, etc., in applicable instances.

  

Under certain circumstances, the Distributor may change the reallowance to dealers and may also compensate dealers out of its own assets. Dealers engaged in the sale of shares of the Fund may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933. The Distributor retains the entire sales charge on all direct initial investments in the Fund and on all investments in accounts with no designated dealer of record and any portion of a sales charge that is not re-allowed to a broker-dealer or financial intermediary.

 

The availability of these sales load waivers may depend on the particular financial intermediary or type of account through which you purchase or hold Fund shares. Please contact your financial intermediary for more information on the intermediary’s policies and procedures applicable to such waivers. In addition, any intermediary specific sales load waivers are reproduced in Appendix A based on information provided by the financial intermediaries.

 

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HOW TO BUY SHARES

 

Shareholders who invest in the Fund through a financial intermediary should contact their intermediary regarding purchase procedures. All investors must complete and submit the necessary account registration forms in good order. The Fund reserves the right to reject any initial or additional investment and to suspend the offering of Shares. Purchase through a financial intermediary does not affect these eligibility requirements.

 

A purchase of Shares will be made at the NAV per share (plus any applicable sales charge) next determined following receipt of a purchase order in good order by the Fund, its authorized agent, its Distributor’s authorized agent, or authorized financial intermediary or the intermediary’s authorized designee if received at a time when the Fund is open to new investments. A purchase order is in “good order” if the request includes:

 

·Name, date of birth, residential address, and social security number.

·The Fund name, share class and account number.

·The amount of the transaction (in dollars or shares).

·Signatures of all owners exactly as registered on the account (for mail requests).

·Any supporting legal documentation that may be required.

 

The Fund reserves the right to cancel any purchase order it receives if the Fund believes that it is in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders to do so.

 

Clients of investment advisory organizations may also be subject to investment advisory fees under their own arrangements with such organizations. Some Intermediaries may impose different or additional eligibility requirements. The Adviser has the discretion to further modify or waive their eligibility requirements.

 

Of critical importance, is the location of those authorized to transact on an account at the time the transaction request is placed with the Fund. In general, shareholders and authorized traders may only place trades with the Fund when physically in the U.S., a U.S. territory, stationed at a military base, or stationed at a U.S. Embassy. The location of the authorized caller may be obtained on a recorded phone call or in writing.

 

Investment Minimum

 

The minimum initial investment in Class A shares of the Fund is $5,000, and the minimum subsequent investment in Class A shares of the Fund is $250. The minimum initial investment in Class I shares of the Fund is $5,000. The minimum initial investment in Class SDR shares of the Fund is $5,000,000 and there is no minimum for additional purchases of SDR shares of the Fund. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, waive these minimums for accounts in certain circumstances. The Fund may waive or lower investment minimums for investors who invest in the Fund through an asset-based fee program made available through a financial intermediary. If your investment is aggregated into an omnibus account established by an investment adviser, broker or other financial intermediary, the account minimums apply to the omnibus account, not to your individual investment. The financial intermediary may also impose minimum requirements that are different from those set forth in this Prospectus. If you choose to purchase Shares from or effect repurchase requests directly with the Fund, you will not incur charges on such purchases and repurchases. However, if you purchase Shares or effect repurchase requests through a broker-dealer or other intermediary, you may be charged a fee by that intermediary.

 

Exchange Privilege

 

Except as described below, you may exchange all or a portion of your Shares in the Fund for shares in an identically registered account of the same class of a Hartford Funds mutual fund. Additionally, except as described below, you may exchange your Shares in the Fund for Shares of the other classes of the Fund or for shares of another class of a Hartford Funds mutual fund if you meet the minimum investment requirements for the class into which you would like to exchange. Any new account established through an exchange will be subject to the minimum investment requirements applicable to the shares acquired. Exchanges will be executed on the basis of the relative NAV of the Shares exchanged. Consequently, you may receive fewer shares or more shares than originally owned, depending on that day’s net asset values. Your total value of the initially held Shares, however, will equal the total value of the acquired shares. The exchange privilege may be exercised only in those states where the class of shares of the fund being acquired legally may be sold. Be sure to read the current prospectus for the fund into which you are exchanging.

 

You may only exchange your Shares in the Fund for shares in a Hartford Funds mutual fund in conjunction with a quarterly repurchase offer and for an amount equal to the amount of the Shares tendered and repurchased. See “Share Repurchase Program.”

 

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Sales charge (including contingent deferred sales charges) and repurchase fees are not applied to any exchange of all or a portion of your Shares in the Fund for shares of another Hartford Funds fund.

 

An exchange of Shares in the Fund for shares of another fund is considered to be a sale of shares for federal income tax purposes on which you may realize a taxable capital gain or loss unless you are a tax-exempt investor or hold your shares through a tax-deferred account such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those arrangements. A conversion from Shares of one class to Shares of the other class within the Fund is generally not a taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes.

 

Other Policies

 

No Share Certificates. The issuance of Shares is recorded electronically on the books of the Fund. You will receive a confirmation of, or account statement reflecting, each new transaction in your account, which will also show the total number of Shares of the Fund you own. You can rely on these statements in lieu of certificates. The Fund does not issue certificates representing Shares of the Fund.

 

Customer Identification Program

 

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. In some cases, Federal law also requires us to verify and record information that identifies the natural persons who control and beneficially own a legal entity that opens an account. When an investor opens an account, therefore, the Fund will request names, addresses, dates of birth and other information that will allow the Fund to identify the investor and certain other natural persons associated with the account. For some legal entity accounts, the investor will be asked to provide identifying information for one natural person that controls the entity, and for each natural person that beneficially owns 25% or more of the legal entity.

 

The Fund also required to obtain information that identifies each authorized signer for an account by requesting name, residential address, date of birth and social security number for each authorized signer.

 

Federal law prohibits the Fund and other financial institutions from opening a new account on behalf of a natural person unless they receive the minimum identifying information listed above. After an account is opened, the Fund may restrict your ability to purchase additional Shares until your identity is verified. The Fund may close your account or take other appropriate action if it is unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time. The Fund and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and repurchasing an investor’s Shares when an investor’s identity is not verified.

 

In addition, the Fund may be required to “freeze” your account if there appears to be suspicious activity or if account information matches information on a government list of known terrorists or other suspicious persons.

 

Fund Closings

 

The Fund may close at any time to new investments and, during such closings, only the reinvestment of dividends by existing shareholders will be permitted. The Fund may re-open to new investments and subsequently close again to new investments at any time at the discretion of the Adviser. Any such opening and closing of the Fund will be disclosed to investors via a supplement to this Prospectus.

 

Liquidation or Reorganization

 

To the extent authorized by law, the Fund reserves the right to discontinue offering Shares at any time, to merge or reorganize itself or a class of Shares, or to cease operations and liquidate at any time. A liquidation may have adverse tax consequences to Shareholders. If the Fund were to liquidate, Shareholders would receive a liquidating distribution in cash or in-kind equal to their proportionate interest in the Fund. A liquidating distribution would generally be a taxable event to Shareholders, resulting in a gain or loss for tax purposes, depending upon a Shareholder’s basis in his or her Shares of the Fund. A Shareholder would not be entitled to any refund or reimbursement of expenses borne, directly or indirectly, by the Shareholder (such as sales loads, account fees, or fund expenses), and a Shareholder may receive an amount in liquidation less than his or her original investment.

 

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DISTRIBUTIONS

 

The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and capital gains to shareholders at least once a year. Capital gains of the Fund are normally declared and paid annually. Dividends, if any, from net investment income of the Fund are normally declared and paid monthly.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board has delegated authority to the Fund’s Treasurer to reduce the frequency with which dividends are declared and paid and to declare and make payments of long-term capital gains as permitted or required by law or in order to avoid tax penalties. Further, the Fund reserves the right to change its dividend distribution policy at the discretion of its Board.

 

To the extent that any portion of the Fund’s monthly distributions are considered a return of capital to Shareholders, such portion would not be considered dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and would represent a return of the amounts that such Shareholders invested. Although such return of capital distributions are not currently taxable to Shareholders, such distributions will have the effect of lowering a Shareholder’s tax basis in such Shares, and could result in a higher tax liability when the Shares are sold, even if they have not increased in value, or in fact, have lost value. The Fund’s final distribution for each tax year is expected to include any remaining investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income undistributed during the tax year, as well as any undistributed net capital gain realized during the tax year. If the total distributions made in any tax year exceed investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt income and net capital gain, such excess distributed amount would be treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits and as return of capital thereafter. This distribution policy, may, under certain circumstances, have adverse consequences to the Fund and its Shareholders because it may result in a return of capital resulting in less of a Shareholder’s assets being invested in the Fund and, over time, increase the Fund’s expense ratio. The distribution policy also may cause the Fund to sell securities at a time it would not otherwise do so to manage the distribution of income and gain. The initial distribution will be declared on date determined by the Board.

 

Each year, a statement on Form 1099-DIV identifying the sources of the distributions (i.e., paid from ordinary income, paid from net capital gains on the sale of securities, and/or a return of capital, which is a nontaxable distribution) will be furnished to Shareholders subject to IRS reporting. Fund ordinary distributions may exceed the Fund’s earnings, especially during the period before the Fund has substantially invested the proceeds from this offering. To the extent that the Fund pays distributions to Shareholders using proceeds it receives from Fund distributions, such distributions generally would constitute a return of investor capital and generally will lower an investor’s tax basis in his or her Shares. A return of capital generally is a return of an investor’s investment rather than a return of earnings or gains derived from the Fund’s investment activities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to pay distributions at a specific rate or at all.

 

As discussed in the “Tax Matters” section, to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment, the Fund is required to distribute on a timely basis with respect to each tax year dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes of an amount at least equal to the sum of 90% of “investment company taxable income” and net tax-exempt interest income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, for such tax year. To avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, the Fund is required to distribute in respect of each calendar year dividends of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) generally for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gain net income for previous calendar years that were not distributed during such calendar years and on which the Fund paid no U.S. federal income tax. The Fund can offer no assurance that it will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions. If the Fund issues senior securities, the Fund will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes it to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of the Fund’s borrowings. Any such limitations would adversely impact the Fund’s ability to make distributions to Shareholders.

 

Before investing you may want to consult your tax advisor.

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

Dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically reinvested, unless otherwise noted. You may notify the Transfer Agent in writing to:

 

·Choose to receive dividends or distributions (or both) in cash; or

·Change the way you currently receive distributions

 

If you elect to receive dividends in cash, you will only receive a check if the dividend amount exceeds $10. If the dividend is $10 or less, the amount will automatically be reinvested in the Fund. If you would like to receive cash dividends, regardless of the amount, you can establish an electronic funds transfer to your bank. For assistance in establishing electronic funds transfer transactions, please call 1-888-843-7824.

 

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Shares may be distributed in lieu of cash. The number of Shares that will be distributed in lieu of cash is determined by dividing the dollar amount of the distribution to be reinvested by the NAV as of the close of business on the day of the distribution.

 

Your taxable income is the same regardless of which option you choose. For further information about dividend reinvestment, contact the Transfer Agent by telephone at [(xxx) xxx-xxxx].

 

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PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF THE SUB-ADVISER

 

The following tables present the past performance of a composite of certain accounts managed by Schroder Investment Management North America Inc., which serves as the sub-adviser to the Fund. The Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized composite consists of all fee paying accounts under discretionary management by Schroders in the Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized investment strategy that have investment objectives, policies and strategies substantially similar to those of the Fund. The performance has been adjusted to reflect the operating costs of the Fund. Gross performance presented below has been prepared by Schroders in accordance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). The GIPS method for computing historical performance differs from the SEC’s method. Returns reflect all income, gains and losses and reinvestment of any dividends or capital gains without provision for federal or state income tax. Because the gross performance data shown in the tables does not reflect the deduction of investment advisory fees paid by the accounts that make up the composite and certain other expenses that would be applicable to the Fund, the net performance data may be more relevant to potential investors in the Fund in their analysis of the historical experience of SIMNA in managing all securitized credit portfolios with investment objectives, policies and strategies substantially similar to those of the Fund. To calculate the performance of the composite net of Class A expenses, the total annual fund operating expenses payable by Class A shares of the Fund, as set forth in the Fund’s fee table in this prospectus, were used. These expenses are higher than the highest expenses applicable to any account in the composite. The accounts that are included in the Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized composite are not subject to the diversification requirements, specific tax restrictions and investment limitations imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act or Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Consequently, the performance results for the composite may have been less favorable had it been regulated as an investment company under the federal securities laws.

 

The historical performance of the Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized composite is not that of the Fund, is not a substitute for the Fund’s performance and is not necessarily indicative of the Fund’s future results. The Fund’s actual performance may differ significantly from the past performance of the composite.

 

While the accounts in the composite experience inflows and outflows of cash from clients, there can be no assurance that the continuous offering of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s obligation to repurchase its shares on a quarterly basis will not adversely affect the Fund’s performance.

 

Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized Composite PERFORMANCE1

 

Average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2018:

 

  1 Year 5 Years Since
Inception2
Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized Composite (Net of Class A expenses and maximum Class A sales charge)      
Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized Composite (Net of Class A expenses but excluding Class A sales charge)      
Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized Composite (Gross)      
ICE BofAML US ABS & CMBS Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)      
S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)      
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Total returns for the periods ended December 31

 

        20122 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized Composite (Net of Class A expenses and maximum Class A sales charge)                    
Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized Composite (Net of Class A expenses but excluding Class A sales charge)                    
Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized Composite (Gross)                    
ICE BofAML US ABS & CMBS Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)                    
S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)                    
1This is not the performance of the Fund.  As of [December 31, 2018], the Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized Composite was composed of __ fee-paying accounts with aggregate assets of $[___ billion].
2The Schroder Opportunistic Long/Short Securitized Composite commenced operations on April 30, 2012.

 

INDICES:

 

The Fund will measure its performance against ICE BofAML US ABS & CMBS Index and the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index. The indices are unmanaged, and their results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions, but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, expenses or taxes.

 

ICE BofAML US ABS & CMBS Index tracks the performance of US dollar denominated investment grade fixed and floating rate asset backed securities and fixed rate commercial mortgage backed securities publicly issued in the US domestic market. Qualifying securities must have an investment grade rating (based on an average of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch), at least one year remaining term to final stated maturity and at least one month to the last expected cash flow. 144a securities qualify for inclusion in the Index. Callable perpetual securities qualify provided they are at least one year from the first call date. Inverse floating rate, interest only and principal only tranches of qualifying deals are excluded from the Index as are all tranches of re-securitized deals.

 

The S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index is a market-value-weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of the U.S. leverage loan market based upon market weightings, spreads and interest payments.

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results. Performance for the periods subsequent to those periods reflected herein may be lower.

 

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FISCAL YEAR; REPORTS

 

For accounting purposes, the Fund’s fiscal year and tax year end is October 31. As soon as practicable after the end of each calendar year, a statement on Form 1099-DIV identifying the sources of the distributions paid by the Fund to Shareholders for tax purposes will be furnished to Shareholders subject to IRS reporting. In addition, the Fund will prepare and transmit to Shareholders an unaudited semi-annual and an audited annual report within 60 days after the close of the period for which the report is being made, or as otherwise required by the 1940 Act.

 

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INQUIRIES

 

Inquiries concerning the Fund and the Shares should be directed to:

 

[Insert Appropriate Address]

 

 82 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

INVESTMENT RISKS 1
   
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES 42
   
FUND MANAGEMENT 45
   
REPURCHASE OF SHARES 53
   
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS 54
   
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROXY VOTING RECORD 56
   
TAXATION 59
   
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES 69
   
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 70
   
DISTRIBUTION PLAN 72
   
OTHER MATTERS 75
   
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 75

 

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APPENDIX A INTERMEDIARY-SPECIFIC SALES CHARGE WAIVERS AND DISCOUNTS

 

The availability of certain initial and contingent deferred sales charge waivers and discounts may depend on the particular financial intermediary or type of account through which you purchase or hold Fund shares. Financial intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of these waivers and discounts. For waivers or discounts not available through a particular intermediary, investors will have to purchase shares directly from the Fund or through another intermediary to receive such waivers or discounts to the extent such a waiver or discount is available. These waivers or discounts, which may vary from those disclosed elsewhere in the statutory prospectus or SAI, are subject to change and this Appendix will be updated based on information provided by the financial intermediaries. Neither the Fund, Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC, nor Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC supervises the implementation of these waivers or discounts or verifies the intermediaries’ administration of these waivers or discounts. In all instances, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the financial intermediary of any facts that may qualify the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. Please contact your financial intermediary for more information.

 

[Additional Information to be Provided by Subsequent Amendment]

 

Investors should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus. No dealer, salesperson or other individual has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations that are not contained in this Prospectus. If any such information or statements are given or made, investors should not rely upon such information or representations. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell any securities other than those to which this Prospectus relates, or an offer to sell to, or a solicitation of an offer to buy from, any person in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful. This Prospectus speaks as of the date set forth below. Investors should not assume that the delivery of this Prospectus or that any sale made pursuant to this Prospectus implies that the information contained in this Prospectus will remain fully accurate and correct as of any time subsequent to the date of this Prospectus.

 

 A-1 

 

 

HARTFORD SCHRODERS OPPORTUNISTIC INCOME FUND

CLASS A, CLASS I AND CLASS SDR SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

 ___________________, 2019

  

 

 

 

Preliminary Statement of Additional Information

Dated July 16, 2019

Subject to Completion

 

The information in this preliminary statement of additional information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary statement of additional information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

 

HARTFORD SCHRODERS OPPORTUNISTIC INCOME FUND

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

September __, 2019

 

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, and it should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of Hartford Schroders Opportunistic Income Fund (the “Fund”) and as may be amended, restated or supplemented from time to time. The Fund is a newly-organized Delaware statutory trust that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund has elected to operate as an interval fund.

 

  Class
A
Class
I
Class
SDR
Hartford Schroders Opportunistic Income Fund      

 

Because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, the Fund’s audited financial statements are not yet available. The Fund’s prospectus is incorporated by reference into this SAI, and this SAI has been incorporated by reference into the Fund’s prospectus. A free copy of the Fund’s Annual/Semi-Annual Report, when available, and the Fund’s prospectus will be available on the Fund’s website at www.hartfordfunds.com, and, upon request, by writing to: Hartford Funds, P.O. Box 219060, Kansas City, MO 64121-9060.

 

Date of Prospectus: [September __], 2019, as may be amended, restated or supplemented from time to time.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

INVESTMENT RISKS 1
   
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES 42
   
FUND MANAGEMENT 45
   
REPURCHASE OF SHARES 53
   
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS 54
   
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROXY VOTING RECORD 56
   
TAXATION 59
   
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES 69
   
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 70
   
DISTRIBUTION PLAN 72
   
OTHER MATTERS 75
   
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 75

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT RISKS

 

The discussion set forth below provides descriptions of some of the types of investments and investment strategies that the Fund may use, and the risks and considerations associated with those investments and investment strategies. Please see the Fund’s “Summary of Terms” and “Types of Investments and Related Risks” sections of the Prospectus for further information on the Fund’s investment policies and risks. The following discussion provides additional information about those principal investment strategies and related risks, as well as information about investment strategies (and related risks) that the Fund may use, even though they are not considered to be “principal” investment strategies. Accordingly, an investment strategy (and related risk) that is described below, but that is not described in the Prospectus, should not be considered to be a principal strategy (or related risk) applicable to the Fund.

 

The Fund may engage in any of the investment strategies or purchase any of the investments described below directly, through its investment in one or more other investment companies, or through hybrid instruments, structured investments, or other derivatives.

 

ACTIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT RISK. The risk that, if the investment decisions and strategy of the investment adviser and/or sub-adviser, as applicable, do not perform as expected, the Fund could underperform its peers or lose money. The Fund’s performance depends on the judgment of the investment adviser and/or sub-adviser, as applicable, about a variety of factors, such as markets, interest rates and/or the attractiveness, relative value, liquidity, or potential appreciation of particular investments made for the Fund’s portfolio. The investment adviser’s and/or sub-adviser’s, as applicable, investment models may not adequately take into account certain factors, may perform differently than anticipated and may result in the Fund having a lower return than if the portfolio managers used another model or investment strategy.

 

The Fund’s sub-adviser may consider certain environmental, social and/or government factors (ESG) as part of its decision to buy and sell securities. Such consideration may fail to produce the intended result and, as a result, the Fund may underperform funds that are not subject to such assessment.

 

ACTIVE TRADING RISK. Active or frequent trading of the Fund’s portfolio securities could increase the Fund’s transaction costs and may increase an investor’s tax liability as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects may adversely affect Fund performance.

 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. Asset-backed securities are securities backed by a pool of some underlying asset, including but not limited to home equity loans, installment sale contracts, credit card receivables or other assets. Asset-backed securities are “pass-through” securities, meaning that principal and interest payments — net of expenses — made by the borrower on the underlying assets (such as credit card receivables) are passed through to the Fund. The value of asset-backed securities, like that of traditional fixed income securities, typically increases when interest rates fall and decreases when interest rates rise. However, asset-backed securities differ from traditional fixed income securities because of their potential for prepayment. The price paid by the Fund for its asset-backed securities, the yield the Fund expects to receive from such securities and the average life of the securities are based on a number of factors, including the anticipated rate of prepayment of the underlying assets. In a period of declining interest rates, borrowers may prepay the underlying assets more quickly than anticipated, thereby reducing the yield to maturity and the average life of the asset-backed securities. Moreover, when the Fund reinvests the proceeds of a prepayment in these circumstances, it will likely receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the security that was prepaid. To the extent that the Fund purchases asset-backed securities at a premium, prepayments may result in a loss to the extent of the premium paid. If the Fund buys such securities at a discount, both scheduled payments and unscheduled prepayments will increase current and total returns and unscheduled prepayments will also accelerate the recognition of income which, when distributed to shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. In a period of rising interest rates, prepayments of the underlying assets may occur at a slower than expected rate, creating maturity extension risk. This particular risk may effectively change a security that was considered short- or intermediate-term at the time of purchase into a longer term security. Since the value of longer-term securities generally fluctuates more widely in response to changes in interest rates than does the value of shorter term securities, maturity extension risk could increase the volatility of the Fund. When interest rates decline, the value of an asset-backed security with prepayment features may not increase as much as that of other fixed-income securities, and, as noted above, changes in market rates of interest may accelerate or retard prepayments and thus affect maturities.

 

Asset-backed securities do not always have the benefit of a security interest in the underlying asset. For example, credit card receivables are generally unsecured, and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off amounts owed. The ability of an issuer of asset-backed securities to enforce its security interest in the underlying securities may be limited, and recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these securities. If the Fund purchase asset-backed securities that are “subordinated” to other interests in the same asset-backed pool, the Fund as a holder of those securities may only receive payments after the pool’s obligations to other investors have been satisfied. Tax-exempt structured securities, such as tobacco bonds, are not considered asset-backed securities for purposes of the Fund’s investments.

 

Collateralized Debt Obligations and Collateralized Loan Obligations. The Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), which include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured securities. CBOs and CLOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CBO is a trust that is typically backed by a diversified pool of high risk, below investment grade fixed income securities. The collateral can be from many different types of fixed income securities such as high yield debt, residential privately issued mortgage-related securities, commercial privately issued mortgage-

 

 

 

 

related securities, trust preferred securities and emerging market debt. A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. Other CDOs are trusts backed by other types of assets representing obligations of various parties. CDOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses.

 

For CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since they are partially protected from defaults, senior tranches from a CBO trust, CLO trust or trust of another CDO typically have higher ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CBO, CLO or other CDO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches and market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CBO, CLO or other CDO securities as a class.

 

The risks of an investment in a CDO depend largely on the type of collateral held by the special purpose entity (SPE) and the tranche of the CDO in which the Fund invests. Investment risk may also be affected by the performance of a CDO’s collateral manager (the entity responsible for selecting and managing the pool of collateral securities held by the SPE trust), especially during a period of market volatility. CDOs may be deemed to be illiquid investments; however, an active dealer market may exist for CDOs allowing a CDO to qualify for Rule 144A transactions. Normally, CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. The Fund’s investment in CDOs will not receive the same investor protection as an investment in registered securities. In addition, prices of CDO tranches can decline considerably. In addition to the normal risks associated with debt securities and asset backed securities (e.g., interest rate risk, credit risk and default risk), CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or quality or go into default or be downgraded; (iii) the Fund may invest in tranches of a CDO that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer, difficulty in valuing the security or unexpected investment results.

 

ASSET Segregation. To the extent required by the SEC guidelines, if the Fund engages in transactions that expose it to an obligation to another party, the Fund will either (i) hold an offsetting position for the same type of financial asset or (ii) maintain cash or liquid securities, designated on the Fund’s books or held in a segregated account, with a value sufficient at all times to cover its potential obligations not covered pursuant to clause (i). Assets used as offsetting positions, designated on the Fund’s books or held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position(s) requiring cover is/are open unless replaced with other appropriate assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of assets to be used as offsetting positions or to be designated or segregated in such a manner could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet shareholder repurchase requests or other current obligations. The Fund reserves the right to modify its asset segregation policies in the future to comply with any changes in the SEC’s positions regarding asset segregation.

 

BOND FORWARDS RISK. A bond forward is a contractual agreement between the Fund and another party to buy or sell an underlying asset at an agreed-upon future price and date. When the Fund enters into a bond forward, it will also simultaneously enter into a reverse repurchase agreement. In a bond forward transaction, no cash premium is paid when the parties enter into the bond forward. If the transaction is collateralized, an exchange of margin collateral will take place according to an agreed-upon schedule. Otherwise, no asset of any kind changes hands until the bond forward matures (typically in 30 days) or is rolled over for another agreed-upon period. Generally, the value of the bond forward will change based on changes in the value of the underlying asset. Bond forwards are subject to market risk (the risk that the market value of the underlying bond may change), non-correlation risk (the risk that the market value of the bond forward might move independently of the market value of the underlying bond) and counterparty credit risk (the risk that a counterparty will be unable to meet its obligation under the contract). If there is no cash exchanged at the time the Fund enters into the bond forward, counterparty risk may be limited to the loss of any marked-to-market profit on the contract and any delays or limitations on the Fund’s ability to sell or otherwise use the investments used as collateral for the bond forward. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price. The Fund could also lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the any collateral held or assets segregated by the Fund to cover the transaction is less than the value of securities. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may increase the possibility of fluctuation in the Fund’s net asset value.

 

In order to reduce the risk associated with leveraging, the Fund may “set aside” liquid assets (as described in “Asset Segregation” above), or otherwise “cover” its position in bond forwards in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and SEC interpretations thereunder.

 

BORROWING. The Fund may borrow money to the extent set forth under “Investment Objectives and Policies.” Interest paid on borrowings will decrease the net earnings of the Fund and will not be available for investment. The Fund may use leverage to the

 

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extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund is permitted to obtain leverage using any form or combination of financial leverage instruments, including through funds borrowed from banks or other financial institutions (i.e., a credit facility), margin facilities, the issuance of notes in an aggregate amount up to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (or in the case of the issuance of preferred shares, 50% of total assets), including any assets purchased with borrowed money, immediately after giving effect to the leverage. [The Fund intends to enter into a credit facility during the 12-month period following the date of this SAI.] The Fund may use leverage opportunistically and may use different types, combinations or amounts of leverage over time, based on the adviser’s and/or sub-adviser’s views concerning market conditions and investment opportunities. The Fund’s strategies relating to its use of leverage may not be successful, and the Fund’s use of leverage will cause the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) to be more volatile than it would otherwise be. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will leverage its assets or, to the extent the Fund does utilize leverage, what percentage of its assets such leverage will represent.

 

CALL RISK. Call risk is the risk that an issuer, especially during periods of falling interest rates, may redeem a security by repaying it early. Issuers may call outstanding securities prior to their maturity due to a decline in interest rates, a change in credit spreads or changes to or improvements in the issuer’s credit quality. If an issuer calls a security in which the Fund has invested, the Fund may not recoup the full amount of its initial investment and may be forced to reinvest the money it receives in lower-yielding securities, securities with greater credit risks or securities with other, less favorable features. This could potentially lower the Fund’s income, yield and its distributions to shareholders.

 

Commodities Regulatory Risk. Commodity-related companies are subject to significant federal, state and local government regulation in virtually every aspect of their operations, including how facilities are constructed, maintained and operated, environmental and safety controls, and the prices they may charge for the products and services they provide. In addition, certain derivatives (for example, interest rate swaps) are considered to be commodities for regulatory purposes. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the retroactive implementation of speculative position limits or higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily limits and the suspension of trading. Any of these actions, if taken, could adversely affect the returns of the Fund by limiting or precluding investment decisions the Fund might otherwise make. In addition, various national governments have expressed concern regarding the derivatives markets and the need to regulate such markets. Stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies, with respect to the derivatives market, could be enacted in the future which would likely increase compliance costs and may adversely affect the operations and financial performance of commodity-related companies. The effect of any future regulatory change on the Fund is impossible to predict, but could be substantial and adverse to the Fund. Also, future regulatory developments may impact the Fund’s ability to invest in commodity-linked derivatives. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has currently suspended the issuance of private letter rulings relating to the tax treatment of income and gain generated by investments in commodity-linked notes and income generated by investments in controlled foreign corporations that invest in commodity-linked derivative instruments.

 

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The market value of a convertible security typically performs like that of a regular debt security; this means that if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. Convertible securities are also subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risk that apply to the underlying common stock. A convertible security tends to perform more like a stock when the underlying stock price is high relative to the conversion price (because more of the security’s value resides in the option to convert) and more like a debt security when the underlying stock price is low relative to the conversion price (because the option to convert is less valuable).

 

Contingent Convertibles. Contingent convertible securities (“CoCos”) are a form of hybrid debt security that are intended to either convert into equity or have their principal written down upon the occurrence of certain “triggers.” The triggers are generally linked to regulatory capital thresholds or regulatory actions calling into question the issuing banking institution’s continued viability as a going-concern. CoCos’ unique equity conversion or principal write-down features are tailored to the issuing banking institution and its regulatory requirements. Some additional risks associated with CoCos include, but are not limited to:

 

Loss absorption risk. CoCos have no stated maturity and have fully discretionary coupons. This means coupons can potentially be cancelled at the banking institution’s discretion or at the request of the relevant regulatory authority in order to help the bank absorb losses.

 

Subordinated instruments. CoCos will, in the majority of circumstances, be issued in the form of subordinated debt instruments in order to provide the appropriate regulatory capital treatment prior to a conversion. Accordingly, in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of an issuer prior to a conversion having occurred, the rights and claims of the holders of the CoCos, such as the Fund, against the issuer in respect of or arising under the terms of the CoCos shall generally rank junior to the claims of all holders of unsubordinated obligations of the issuer. In addition, if the CoCos are converted into the issuer’s underlying equity securities following a conversion event (i.e., a “trigger”), each holder will be subordinated due to their conversion from being the holder of a debt instrument to being the holder of an equity instrument.

 

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Market value will fluctuate based on unpredictable factors. The value of CoCos is unpredictable and will be influenced by many factors including, without limitation: (i) the creditworthiness of the issuer and/or fluctuations in such issuer’s applicable capital ratios; (ii) supply and demand for the CoCos; (iii) general market conditions and available liquidity; and (iv) economic, financial and political events that affect the issuer, its particular market or the financial markets in general.

 

Synthetic Convertibles. Synthetic convertible securities involve the combination of separate securities that possess the two principal characteristics of a traditional convertible security (i.e., an income-producing component and a right to acquire an equity security). Synthetic convertible securities are often achieved, in part, through investments in warrants or options to buy common stock (or options on a stock index), and therefore are subject to the risks associated with derivatives. The value of a synthetic convertible security will respond differently to market fluctuations than a traditional convertible security because a synthetic convertible is composed of two or more separate securities or instruments, each with its own market value. Because the convertible component is typically achieved by investing in warrants or options to buy common stock at a certain exercise price, or options on a stock index, synthetic convertible securities are subject to the risks associated with derivatives. In addition, if the value of the underlying common stock or the level of the index involved in the convertible component falls below the exercise price of the warrant or option, the warrant or option may lose all value.

 

COUNTERPARTY RISK. With respect to certain transactions, such as over-the-counter derivatives contracts or repurchase agreements, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the counterparty to the transaction may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations. In the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency of a counterparty, the Fund could experience delays in liquidating its positions and significant losses, including declines in the value of its investment during the period in which the Fund seeks to enforce its rights, the inability to realize any gains on its investment during such period and any fees and expenses incurred in enforcing its rights. The Fund also bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a derivative transaction in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a counterparty.

 

CREDIT RISK. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security will not be able to make timely principal and interest payments. Changes in an issuer’s financial strength, credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury historically have presented minimal credit risk. However, in recent years the long-term U.S. credit rating was downgraded by at least one major rating agency as a result of disagreements within the U.S. Government over raising the debt ceiling to repay outstanding obligations and this event introduced greater uncertainty about the future ability of the U.S. to repay its obligations due to political or other developments. A further credit rating downgrade or a U.S. credit default could decrease the value and increase the volatility of the Fund’s investments.

 

CREDIT RISK TRANSFER SECURITIES RISK. Credit risk transfer (“CRT”) securities are fixed income securities that transfer the credit risk related to certain types of mortgage backed securities (“MBS”) to the owner of the CRT. If the underlying mortgages default, the principal of the CRT securities owners is used to pay back holders of the MBS. As a result, all or part of the mortgage default or credit risk associated with the underlying mortgage pools is transferred to the Fund. Therefore, the Fund could lose all or part of its investments in credit risk transfer securities in the event of default by the underlying mortgages.

 

CURRENCY RISK. The risk that the value of the Fund’s investments in foreign securities or currencies will be affected by the value of the applicable currency relative to the U.S. dollar. When the Fund sells a foreign currency or foreign currency denominated security, its value may be worth less in U.S. dollars even if the investment increases in value in its local market. U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers may also be affected by currency risk, as the revenue earned by issuers of these securities may also be affected by changes in the issuer’s local currency. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets. The dollar value of foreign investments may be affected by exchange controls. The Fund may be positively or negatively affected by governmental strategies intended to make the U.S. dollar, or other currencies in which the Fund invests, stronger or weaker. Currency risk may be particularly high to the extent that the Fund invests in foreign securities or currencies that are economically tied to emerging market countries.

 

Cybersecurity Risk. Cybersecurity breaches are either intentional or unintentional events that allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause the Fund or Fund service provider to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. Intentional cybersecurity incidents include: unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices (such as through “hacking” activity); infection from computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut down, disable, slow, or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, or website access or functionality. In addition, unintentional incidents can occur, such as the inadvertent release of confidential information.

 

A cybersecurity breach could result in the loss or theft of customer data or funds, the inability to access electronic systems (“denial of services”), loss or theft of proprietary information or corporate data, physical damage to a computer or network system, or costs associated with system repairs, any of which could have a substantial impact on the Fund. For example, in a denial of service, Fund shareholders could lose access to their electronic accounts indefinitely, and employees of the investment adviser, the sub-adviser, or the Fund’s other service providers may not be able to access electronic systems to perform critical duties for the Fund, such as trading, NAV calculation, shareholder accounting, or fulfillment of Fund share purchases and repurchase requests. Cybersecurity

 

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incidents could cause the Fund, the investment adviser, the sub-adviser, or other service provider to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, compliance costs associated with corrective measures, or financial loss. They may also result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws. In addition, such incidents could affect issuers in which the Fund invests, thereby causing the Fund’s investments to lose value.

 

The investment adviser, the sub-adviser, and their affiliates have established risk management systems that seek to reduce cybersecurity risks, and business continuity plans in the event of a cybersecurity breach. However, there are inherent limitations in such plans, including that certain risks have not been identified, and there is no guarantee that such efforts will succeed, especially since none of the investment adviser, the sub-adviser, or their affiliates controls the cybersecurity systems of the Fund’s third-party service providers (including the Fund’s custodian), or those of the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests.

 

DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS (ADRs, EDRs and GDRs). The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers in the form of depositary receipts or other securities that are convertible into securities of foreign issuers, including American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”). ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company that evidence underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. ADRs are traded on U.S. securities exchanges, or in over-the-counter markets, and are denominated in U.S. dollars. EDRs and GDRs are similar instruments that are issued in Europe (EDRs) or globally (GDRs), traded on foreign securities exchanges and denominated in foreign currencies. The value of a depositary receipt will fluctuate with the value of the underlying security, reflect changes in exchange rates and otherwise involve the same risks associated with the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. The Fund may also invest in depositary receipts that are not sponsored by a financial institution (“Unsponsored Depositary Receipts”). Depositary Receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. The issuers of Unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to disclose information that would be considered material in the United States. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding their issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts.

 

The Fund may also invest in Global Depositary Notes (“GDN”), a form of depositary receipt. A GDN is a debt instrument created by a bank that evidences ownership of a local currency-denominated debt security. An investment in GDNs involves further risks due to certain features of GDNs. GDNs emulate the terms (interest rate, maturity date, credit quality, etc.) of particular local currency-denominated bonds; however, they trade, settle, and pay interest and principal in U.S. dollars, and are Depository Trust Company/Euroclear/Clearstream eligible. Any distributions paid to the holders of GDNs are usually subject to a fee charged by the depositary. Certain investment restrictions in certain countries may adversely impact the value of GDNs because such restrictions may limit the ability to convert bonds into GDNs and vice versa. Such restrictions may cause bonds of the underlying issuer to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the GDN. See also “Foreign Investments” below.

 

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

 

The Fund may use instruments called derivatives or derivative securities. A derivative is a financial instrument the value of which is derived from the value of one or more underlying securities, commodities, currencies, indices, debt instruments, other derivatives or any other agreed upon pricing index or arrangement (e.g., the movement over time of the Consumer Price Index or freight rates) (each an “Underlying Instrument”). Derivatives contracts are either physically settled, which means the parties trade the Underlying Instrument itself, or cash settled, which means the parties simply make cash payments based on the value of the Underlying Instrument (and do not actually deliver or receive the Underlying Instrument). Derivatives may allow the Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk to which the Fund is exposed more quickly and efficiently than transactions in other types of instruments.

 

Many derivative contracts are traded on securities or commodities exchanges, the contract terms are generally standard, and the parties make payments due under the contracts through the exchange. Most exchanges require the parties to post margin against their obligations under the contracts, and the performance of the parties’ obligations under such contracts is usually guaranteed by the exchange or a related clearing corporation. Other derivative contracts are traded over-the-counter (“OTC”) in transactions negotiated directly between the counterparties. OTC derivative contracts do not have standard terms, so they are generally less liquid and more difficult to value than exchange-traded contracts. OTC derivatives also expose the Fund to additional credit risks to the extent a counterparty defaults on a contract. See “Additional Risk Factors and Considerations of OTC Transactions” below.

 

Depending on how the Fund uses derivatives and the relationships between the market values of the derivative and the Underlying Instrument, derivatives could increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to the risks of the Underlying Instrument. Derivative contracts may also expose the Fund to additional liquidity and leverage risks. See “Risk Factors in Derivative Instruments” below.

 

The Fund may use derivatives for cash flow management or, as part of its overall investment strategy, to seek to replicate the performance of a particular index or to enhance returns. The use of derivatives to enhance returns is considered speculative because the Fund is primarily seeking to achieve gains rather than to offset, or hedge, the risks of other positions. When the Fund invests in a derivative for speculative purposes, the Fund is fully exposed to the risks of loss of that derivative, which may sometimes be greater than the cost of the derivative itself. The Fund may use any derivative to gain exposure to an asset or class of assets that it would be prohibited by its investment restrictions from purchasing directly.

 

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Hedging Risk. The Fund may use derivative instruments to offset the risks, or to “hedge” the risks, associated with other Fund holdings. For example, derivatives may be used to hedge against movements in interest rates, currency exchange rates and the equity markets through the use of options, futures transactions and options on futures. Derivatives may also be used to hedge against duration risk in fixed-income investments. Losses on one Fund investment may be substantially reduced by gains on a derivative that reacts to the same market movements in an opposite manner. However, while hedging can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by the Fund or if the cost of the derivative offsets the advantage of the hedge.

 

Among other risks, hedging involves correlation risk, which is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative will not match (i.e., will not offset) changes in the value of the holdings being hedged as expected by the Fund. In such a case, any losses on the Fund holdings being hedged may not be reduced or may even be increased as a result of the use of the derivative. The inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s ability effectively to hedge its portfolio.

 

There can be no assurance that the use of hedging transactions will be effective. The Fund is required to engage in hedging transactions, and the Fund may choose not to do so. A decision as to whether, when and how to hedge involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected interest rate trends.

 

The Fund might not employ any of the derivatives strategies described below, and there can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. The Fund’s success in employing derivatives strategies may depend on the sub-adviser’s correctly forecasting interest rates, market values or other economic factors, and there can be no assurance that the sub-adviser’s forecasts will be accurate. If the sub-adviser’s forecasts are not accurate, the Fund may end up in a worse position than if derivatives strategies had not been employed at all. The Fund’s ability to use certain derivative transactions may be limited by tax considerations and certain other legal considerations. Further, suitable derivative transactions might not be available at all times or in all circumstances. Described below are certain derivative instruments and trading strategies the Fund may use (either separately or in combination) in seeking to achieve their overall investment objectives.

 

Options Contracts. An options contract, or an “option,” is a type of derivative. An option is an agreement between two parties in which one gives the other the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an Underlying Instrument at a set price (the “exercise price” or “strike price”) for a specified period of time. The buyer of an option pays a premium for the opportunity to decide whether to carry out the transaction (exercise the option) when it is beneficial. The option seller (writer) receives the initial premium and is obligated to carry out the transaction if and when the buyer exercises the option. Options can trade on exchanges or in the OTC market and may be bought or sold on a wide variety of Underlying Instruments. Options that are written on futures contracts, or futures options (discussed below), are subject to margin requirements similar to those applied to futures contracts. The Fund may engage in options transactions on any security or instrument in which it may invest, on any securities index based on securities in which it may invest or on any aggregates of equity and debt securities consisting of securities in which it may invest (aggregates are composites of equity or debt securities that are not tied to a commonly known index). The Fund may also enter into options on foreign currencies. As with futures and swaps (discussed below), the success of any strategy involving options depends on the sub-adviser’s analysis of many economic and mathematical factors, and the Fund’s return may be higher if it does not invest in such instruments at all. The Fund may only write “covered” options. The sections below describe certain types of options and related techniques that the Fund may use.

 

Call Options. A call option gives the holder the right to purchase the Underlying Instrument at the exercise price for a fixed period of time. The Fund would typically purchase a call option in anticipation of an increase in value of the Underlying Instrument because owning the option allows the Fund to participate in price increases on a more limited risk basis than if the Fund had initially directly purchased the Underlying Instrument. If, during the option period, the market value of the Underlying Instrument exceeds the exercise price, plus the option premium paid by the Fund and any transaction costs the Fund incurs in purchasing the option, the Fund realizes a gain upon exercise of the option. Otherwise, the Fund realizes either no gain or a loss on its purchase of the option.

 

The Fund is also permitted to write (i.e., sell) “covered” call options, which obligate the Fund, in return for the option premium, to sell the Underlying Instrument to the option holder for the exercise price if the option is exercised at any time before or on its expiration date. In order for a call option to be covered, the Fund must have at least one of the following in place with respect to the option and for so long as the option is outstanding: (i) the Fund owns the Underlying Instrument subject to the option (or, in the case of an option on an index, owns securities whose price changes are expected to be similar to those of the underlying index), (ii) the Fund has an absolute and immediate right to acquire the Underlying Instrument without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration so long as the Fund segregates such additional cash amount) upon conversion or exchange of other securities in its portfolio, (iii) the Fund enters into an offsetting forward contract and/or purchases an offsetting option or any other option that, by virtue of its exercise price or otherwise, reduces the Fund’s net exposure on its written option position, or (iv) the Fund segregates assets with an aggregate value equal to the exercise price of the option.

 

The Fund would typically write a call option to generate income from the option premium and/or in anticipation of a decrease, or only a limited increase (i.e., an increase that is less than the option premium received by the Fund in writing the option), in the market value of the Underlying Instrument. In writing a call option, however, the Fund would not profit if the market value of the Underlying

 

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Instrument increases to an amount that exceeds the sum of the exercise price plus the premium received by the Fund. Also, the Fund cannot sell the Underlying Instrument while the option is in effect unless the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction. A closing purchase transaction cancels out the Fund’s position as option writer by means of an offsetting purchase of an identical option prior to the expiration or exercise of the option it has written.

 

Put Options. A put option gives the holder the right to sell the Underlying Instrument at the exercise price for a fixed period of time. The Fund would typically purchase a put option in anticipation of a decline in market values of securities. This limits the Fund’s potential for loss in the event that the market value of the Underlying Instrument falls below the exercise price.

 

The Fund is also permitted to write covered put options on the securities or instruments in which it may invest. In order for a put option to be covered, the Fund must have at least one of the following in place with respect to the option and for so long as the option is outstanding: (i) the Fund enters into an offsetting forward contract and/or purchases an offsetting option or any other option that, by virtue of its exercise price or otherwise, reduces the Fund’s net exposure on its written option position or (ii) the Fund segregates assets or cash with an aggregate value equal to the exercise price of the option.

 

The Fund would typically write a put option on an Underlying Instrument to generate income from premiums and in anticipation of an increase or only a limited decrease in the value of the Underlying Instrument. However, as writer of the put and in return for the option premium, the Fund takes the risk that it may be required to purchase the Underlying Instrument at a price in excess of its market value at the time of purchase. Because the purchaser may exercise its right under the option contract at any time during the option period, the Fund has no control over when it may be required to purchase the Underlying Instrument unless it enters into a closing purchase transaction.

 

Collars and Straddles. The Fund may employ collars, which are options strategies in which a call with an exercise price greater than the price of the Underlying Instrument (an “out-of-the-money call”) is sold and an in-the-money put (where the exercise price is again above the price of the Underlying Instrument) is purchased, to preserve a certain return within a predetermined range of values. The Fund may also write covered straddles consisting of a combination of a call and a put written on the same Underlying Instrument. A straddle is covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet the Fund’s immediate obligations. The Fund may use the same liquid assets to cover both the call and put options where the exercise price of the call and put are the same, or the exercise price of the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases, the Fund will also segregate or designate on their books liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is “in the money.”

 

Options on Indices. The Fund is permitted to invest in options on any index made up of securities or other instruments in which the Fund itself may invest. Options on indices are similar to options on securities except that index options are always cash settled, which means that upon exercise of the option the holder receives cash equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option times a specified multiple that determines the total monetary value for each point of such difference. As with other written options, all index options written by the Fund must be covered.

 

Risks Associated with Options. There are several risks associated with options transactions. For example, there are significant differences between the options market and the securities markets that could result in imperfect correlation between the two markets. Such imperfect correlation could then cause a given transaction to fail to achieve its objectives. Options are also subject to the risks of an illiquid secondary market, whether those options are traded over-the-counter or on a national securities exchange. There can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular exchange-traded option at any particular time. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to options it has written, the Fund will not be able to sell the Underlying Instruments or dispose of the segregated assets used to cover the options until the options expire or are exercised. Similarly, if the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options it has purchased, it would have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of the Underlying Instruments. Moreover, the Fund’s ability to engage in options transactions may be limited by tax considerations and other legal considerations.

 

The presence of a liquid secondary market on an options exchange may dry up for any or all of the following reasons: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) the exchange may impose restrictions on opening or closing transactions or both; (iii) the exchange may halt or suspend trading, or impose other restrictions, on particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal exchange operations; (v) the facilities of the exchange or its related clearing corporation may at times be inadequate to handle trading volume; and/or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or particular classes or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in such classes or series of options) would cease to exist. However, if the secondary market on an exchange ceases to exist, it would be expected (though it cannot be guaranteed) that outstanding options on that exchange, if any, that had been issued as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

 

The Fund’s options transactions will also be subject to limitations, established by exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities, governing the maximum number of options in each class that may be written or purchased by any single investor or a group of investors acting in concert. As such, the number of options the Fund can write or purchase may be affected by options already written or purchased by other Hartford Funds. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of

 

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positions found to be in excess of these limits and/or impose sanctions. Also, the hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the Underlying Instruments are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the Underlying Instruments, significant price movements can take place in the underlying markets that would not be reflected in the options markets.

 

OTC options implicate additional liquidity and credit risks. Unlike exchange-listed options, where an intermediary or clearing corporation assures that the options transactions are properly executed, the responsibility for performing OTC options transactions rests solely on the writer and holder of those options. See “Additional Risk Factors and Considerations of OTC Transactions” below.

 

The writing and purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The successful use of options depends on the sub-adviser’s ability to predict correctly future price fluctuations and the degree of correlation between the options and securities markets. See “Risk Factors in Derivative Instruments” below.

 

Additional Risk Associated with Options on Indices. The writer’s payment obligation under an index option (which is a cash-settled option) usually equals a multiple of the difference between the exercise price, which was set at initiation of the option, and the closing index level on the date the option is exercised. As such, index options implicate a “timing risk” that the value of the underlying index will change between the time the option is exercised by the option holder and the time the obligation thereunder is settled in cash by the option writer.

 

Equity Linked Notes. Investments in Equity Linked Notes (“ELNs”) often have risks similar to their underlying securities, which could include management risk, market risk and, as applicable, foreign securities and currency risks. In addition, since ELNs are in note form, ELNs are also subject to certain debt securities risks, such as interest rate and credit risk. Should the prices of the underlying securities move in an unexpected manner, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of an investment in an ELN, and may realize losses, which could be significant and could include the Fund’s entire principal investment. An investment in an ELN is also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the ELN will default or become bankrupt and the Fund will have difficulty being repaid, or fail to be repaid, the principal amount of, or income from, its investment. Investments in ELNs are also subject to liquidity risk, which may make ELNs difficult to sell and value. In addition, ELNs may exhibit price behavior that does not correlate with the underlying securities or a fixed income investment. See also “Foreign Investments – Linked Notes” below.

 

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A futures contract, which is a type of derivative, is a standardized, exchange-traded contract that obligates the purchaser to take delivery, and the seller to make delivery, of a specified quantity of an Underlying Instrument at a specified price and specified future time. The Fund is generally permitted to invest in futures contracts and options on futures contracts with respect to, but not limited to, equity and debt securities and foreign currencies, aggregates of equity and debt securities (aggregates are composites of equity or debt securities that are not tied to a commonly known index), interest rates, indices, commodities and other financial instruments.

 

No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract. Rather, when the Fund purchases or sells a futures contract it is required to post margin (“initial margin”) with the futures commission merchant (“FCM”) executing the transaction. The margin required for a futures contract is usually less than ten percent of the contract value, but it is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may by modified during the term of the contract. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin,” to and from the FCM, will then be made daily as the currency, financial instrument or securities index underlying the futures contract fluctuates (a process known as “marking to market”). If the Fund has insufficient cash available to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous. Futures involve substantial leverage risk.

 

An option on a futures contract (“futures option”) gives the option holder the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell its position in the underlying futures contract at a specified price on or before a specified expiration date. As with a futures contract itself, the Fund is required to deposit and maintain margin with respect to futures options it writes. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the nature of the underlying futures contract (and the related initial margin requirements), the current market value of the option and other futures positions held by the Fund.

 

The sale of a futures contract limits the Fund’s risk of loss, prior to the futures contract’s expiration date, from a decline in the market value of portfolio holdings correlated with the futures contract. In the event the market values of the portfolio holdings correlated with the futures contract increase rather than decrease, however, the Fund will realize a loss on the futures position and a lower return on the portfolio than would have been realized without the purchase of the futures contract.

 

Positions taken in the futures markets are usually not held to maturity but instead liquidated through offsetting transactions that may result in a profit or loss. While the Fund’s futures contracts will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Fund may instead make or take delivery of the Underlying Instrument whenever it appears economically advantageous to do so.

 

The Fund is permitted to enter into a variety of futures contracts, including interest rate futures, index futures, currency futures and commodity futures, and options on such futures contracts. The Fund may also invest in instruments that have characteristics similar to futures contracts, such as debt securities with interest or principal payments determined by reference to the value of a

 

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security, an index of securities or a commodity or currency at a future point in time. The risks of such investments reflect the risks of investing in futures and derivatives generally, including volatility and illiquidity.

 

Risks Associated with Futures and Futures Options. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts and options are: (a) imperfect correlation between the change in market value of instruments held by the Fund and the price of the futures contract or option; (b) the possible lack of an active market for a futures contract or option, or the lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures option, and the resulting inability to close the futures contract or option when desired; (c) losses, which are potentially unlimited, caused by unanticipated market movements; (d) the sub-adviser’s failure to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; and (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance in its obligations. Futures contracts and futures options also involve brokerage costs, require margin deposits and, in the case of contracts and options obligating the Fund to purchase securities or currencies, require the fund to segregate assets to cover such contracts and options. Moreover, futures are inherently volatile, and the Fund’s ability to engage in futures transactions may be limited by tax considerations and other legal considerations.

 

U.S. futures exchanges and some foreign exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation in futures contract prices which may occur in a single business day (generally referred to as “daily price fluctuation limits”). The maximum or minimum price of a contract as a result of these limits is referred to as a “limit price.” If the limit price has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made beyond the limit price. Limit prices have the effect of precluding trading in a particular contract or forcing the liquidation of contracts at disadvantageous times or prices.

 

Additional Considerations of Commodity Futures Contracts. In addition to the risks described above, there are several additional risks associated with transactions in commodity futures contracts. In particular, the costs to store underlying physical commodities are reflected in the price of a commodity futures contract. To the extent that storage costs for an underlying commodity change while the Fund is invested in futures contracts on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may change proportionately. Further, the commodities that underlie commodity futures contracts may be subject to additional economic and non-economic variables, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments and may be subject to broad price fluctuations.

 

Other Considerations Related to Options and Futures Options. The Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and related options only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”) for maintaining qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Swap Agreements and Swaptions. A swap agreement, or a swap, is a type of derivative instrument. Swap agreements are entered into for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard swap, two parties exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on an Underlying Instrument. The gross returns to be exchanged (or “swapped”) between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” which is a predetermined dollar principal that represents the hypothetical underlying quantity upon which the parties’ payment obligations are computed. The notional amount may be, among other things, a specific dollar amount invested, for example, at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency or in a “basket” of securities or commodities that represents a particular index. The notional amount itself normally is not exchanged between the parties, but rather it serves as a reference amount from which to calculate the parties’ obligations under the swap.

 

The Fund will usually enter into swap agreements on a “net basis,” which means that the two payment streams are netted out with each party receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the payments. The Fund’s obligations under a swap agreement are generally accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund), and accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a counterparty are covered by segregating liquid assets, marked to market daily, to avoid leveraging the Fund’s portfolio. If the Fund enters into a swap on other than a net basis, the Fund will segregate the full amount of its obligations under such swap. The Fund may enter into swaps, caps, collars, floors and related instruments with member banks of the Federal Reserve System, members of the New York Stock Exchange or other entities determined by the sub-adviser to be creditworthy. If a default occurs by the other party to such transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies under the transaction documents, but such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws that could affect the Fund’s rights as a creditor.

 

The Fund may engage in a wide variety of swap transactions, including, but not limited to, credit- and event-linked swaps, interest rate swaps, swaps on specific securities or indices, swaps on rates (such as mortgage prepayment rates) and other types of swaps, such as caps, collars, and floors. In addition, to the extent the Fund is permitted to invest in foreign currency-denominated securities, it may invest in currency swaps. The Fund may also enter into options on swap agreements (“swaptions”). Depending on how they are used, swap agreements may increase or decrease the overall volatility of the Fund’s investments and its share price and yield. The sections below describe certain swap arrangements and related techniques that the Fund may use.

 

Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. An interest rate swap is an OTC contract in which the parties exchange interest rate exposures (e.g., exchange floating rate payments for fixed rate payments or vice versa). For example, a $10 million LIBOR swap requires one party to pay the equivalent of the London Interbank Offered Rate of Interest (which fluctuates) on the $10 million principal amount in exchange for the right to receive from the other party the equivalent of a stated fixed rate of interest on the $10 million principal amount.

 

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Among other techniques, the Fund may use interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate and duration risk on fixed-income securities or portfolios, which can be particularly sensitive to interest rate changes. Duration measures the sensitivity in prices of fixed-income securities to changes in interest rates; the duration of a portfolio or basket of bonds is the weighted average of the individual component durations. Longer maturity bonds typically have a longer duration than shorter maturity bonds and, therefore, higher sensitivity to interest rate changes. In an environment where interest rates are expected to rise, the Fund may use interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate and duration risk across a portfolio at particular duration points (such as two-, five- and 10- year duration points).

 

The Fund may also purchase or sell interest rate caps or floors. In a typical interest rate cap, the buyer receives payments from the seller to the extent that a specified interest rate exceeds a predetermined level. In a typical interest rate floor, the buyer receives payments from the seller to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below a predetermined level. An interest rate collar combines elements of purchasing a cap and selling a floor and is usually employed to preserve a certain return within a predetermined range of values.

 

Commodity Swaps. A commodity swap agreement is a contract in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in market value of a commodity-based Underlying Instrument (such as a specific commodity or commodity index) in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from another commodity-based Underlying Instrument. In a total return commodity swap, the Fund receives the price appreciation of a commodity index, a portion of a commodity index or a single commodity in exchange for paying an agreed-upon fee. As with other types of swap agreements, if the commodity swap lasts for a finite period of time, the swap may be structured such that the Fund pays a single fixed fee established at the outset of the swap. However, if the term of the commodity swap is ongoing, with interim swap payments, the Fund may pay a variable or “floating” fee. Such a variable fee may be pegged to a base rate, such as LIBOR, and is adjusted at specific intervals. As such, if interest rates increase over the term of the swap contract, the Fund may be required to pay a higher fee at each swap reset date. See “LIBOR Risk” below.

 

Currency Swaps. A currency swap agreement is a contract in which two parties exchange one currency (e.g., U.S. dollars) for another currency (e.g., Japanese yen) on a specified schedule. The currency exchange obligations under currency swaps could be either interest payments calculated on the notional amount or payments of the entire notional amount (or a combination of both). The Fund may engage in currency swap agreements as a tool to protect against uncertainty and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates in the purchase and sale of securities. However, the use of currency swap agreements does not eliminate, or even always mitigate, potential losses arising from fluctuations in exchange rates. In the case of currency swaps that involve the delivery of the entire notional amount of currency in exchange for another currency, the entire notional principal of the currency swap is subject to the risk that the counterparty will default on its contractual delivery obligations.

 

Credit Default Swaps. A credit default swap (“CDS”) is an agreement between two parties whereby one party (the “protection buyer”) makes an up-front payment or a stream of periodic payments over the term of the CDS to the other party (the “protection seller”), provided generally that no event of default or other credit-related event (a “credit event”) with respect to an Underlying Instrument occurs. In return, the protection seller agrees to make a payment to the protection buyer if a credit event does occur with respect to the Underlying Instrument. The CDS market allows the Fund to manage credit risk through buying and selling credit protection on a specific issuer, asset or basket of assets. Credit default swaps typically last between six months and three years, provided that no credit event occurs. Credit default swaps may be physically settled or cash settled.

 

The Fund may be either the protection buyer or the protection seller in a CDS. The Fund generally will not buy protection on issuers that are not currently held by that particular Fund. However, the Fund may engage in credit default swap trades on single names, indices and baskets to manage asset class exposure and to capitalize on spread differentials in instances where there is not complete overlap between the Fund’s holdings or exposures and the reference entities in the credit default swap. If the Fund is the protection buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund loses its entire investment in the CDS (i.e., an amount equal to the aggregate amount of payments made by the Fund to the protection seller over the term of the CDS). However, if a credit event does occur, the Fund (as protection buyer), will deliver the Underlying Instrument to the protection seller and is entitled to a payment from the protection seller equal to the full notional value of the Underlying Instrument, even though the Underlying Instrument at that time may have little or no value. If the Fund is the protection seller and no credit event occurs, the Fund receives a fixed income throughout the term of the CDS (or an up-front payment at the beginning of the term of the CDS) in the form of payments from the protection buyer. However, if the Fund is the protection seller and a credit event occurs, the Fund is obligated to pay the protection buyer the full notional value of the Underlying Instrument in return for the Underlying Instrument (which may at that time be of little or no value).

 

The Fund may also invest in the Dow Jones CDX (“CDX”), which is a family of indices that track credit derivative indices in various countries around the world. The CDX provides investors with exposure to specific reference baskets of issuers of bonds or loans in certain segments, such as North American investment grade credit derivatives or emerging markets. CDX reference baskets are generally priced daily and rebalanced every six months in conjunction with leading market makers in the credit industry. While investing in CDXs increases the universe of bonds and loans to which the Fund is exposed, such investments entail risks that are not typically associated with investments in other debt instruments (rather, they entail risks more associated with derivative instruments). The liquidity of the market for CDXs is also subject to liquidity in the secured loan and credit derivatives markets.

 

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Total return swaps, asset swaps, inflation swaps and similar instruments. The Fund may enter into total return swaps, asset swaps, inflation swaps and other types of swap agreements. In a total return swap, the parties exchange the total return (i.e., interest payments plus any capital gains or losses) of an Underlying Instrument (or basket of such instruments) for the proceeds of another Underlying Instrument (or basket of such instruments). Asset swaps combine an interest rate swap with a bond and are generally used to alter the cash flow characteristics of the Underlying Instrument. For example, the parties may exchange a fixed investment, such as a bond with guaranteed coupon payments, for a floating investment like an index. Inflation swaps are generally used to transfer inflation risk. See “Inflation-Linked Instruments” herein.

 

Swaptions. The Fund may also enter into swap options, or “swaptions.” A swaption is a contract that gives one party the right (but not the obligation), in return for payment of the option premium, to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement at some designated future time and on specified terms. The Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When the Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the option premium it paid should it decide not to exercise the option. When the Fund writes a swaption, however, it is obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement if the option holder exercises the option.

 

Risks Associated with Swaps and Swaptions. Investing in swaps and swaptions, and utilizing these and related techniques in managing the Fund portfolio, are highly specialized activities that involve investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio transactions. These investments involve significant risk of loss. Whether the Fund’s use of swaps will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the sub-adviser’s ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. If the sub-adviser is incorrect in its forecast of market values, the sub-adviser’s utilization of swap arrangements and related techniques could negatively impact the Fund’s performance.

 

The swaps market is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements. Also, certain restrictions imposed by the Code may limit the Fund’s ability to use swap agreements.

 

If the creditworthiness of the Fund’s swap counterparty declines, it becomes more likely that the counterparty will fail to meet its obligations under the contract, and consequently the Fund will suffer losses. Although there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to do so, the Fund may be able to reduce or eliminate its exposure under a swap agreement either by assignment or other disposition, or by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same party or another creditworthy party. However, the Fund may have limited ability to eliminate its exposure under a credit default swap if the credit of the reference entity or underlying asset has declined. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to enter into swap transactions at prices or on terms the sub-adviser believes are advantageous to the Fund. In addition, although the terms of swaps, caps, collars and floors may provide for termination, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to terminate a swap or to sell or offset caps, collars or floors that it has purchased. Investing in swaps and related techniques involves the risks associated with investments in derivative instruments. Please see “Risk Factors in Derivative Instruments” and “Additional Risk Factors and Considerations in OTC Transactions” below.

 

Inflation-Linked Instruments. The Fund is permitted to invest in a variety of inflation-linked instruments, such as inflation-indexed securities and inflation-linked derivatives, to manage inflation risk or to obtain inflation exposure. Inflation – a general rise in the prices of goods and services – is measured by inflation indices like the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Retail Prices Index (RPI), which is calculated by the U.K. Office for National Statistics. The CPI is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy.

 

Inflation-linked derivatives are derivative instruments that tie payments to an inflation index. Currently, most inflation derivatives are in the form of inflation swaps, such as CPI swaps. A CPI swap is a fixed-maturity, over-the-counter derivative where one party pays a fixed rate in exchange for payments tied to the CPI. The fixed rate, which is set by the parties at the initiation of the swap, is often referred to as the “breakeven inflation” rate and generally represents the current difference between Treasury yields and Treasury inflation protected securities (“TIPS”) yields of similar maturities at the initiation of the swap agreement. CPI swaps are typically designated as “zero coupon,” where all cash flows are exchanged at maturity. The value of a CPI swap is expected to fluctuate in response to changes in the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation, as measured by the CPI. A CPI swap can lose value if the realized rate of inflation over the life of the swap is less than the fixed market implied inflation rate (the breakeven inflation rate) the investor agreed to pay at the initiation of the swap.

 

Other types of inflation derivatives include inflation options and futures. There can be no assurance that the CPI, or any foreign inflation index, will accurately measure the rate of inflation in the prices of consumer goods and services. Further, there can be no assurance that the rate of inflation in a foreign country will be correlated to the rate of inflation in the United States. Moreover, inflation-linked instruments are subject to the risks inherent in derivative transactions generally. See “Risk Factors in Derivative Instruments” herein. The market for inflation-linked instruments is still developing. The sub-adviser reserves the right to use the instruments discussed above and similar instruments that may be available in the future.

 

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Hybrid Instruments. A hybrid instrument is an interest in an issuer that combines the characteristics of an equity security, a debt security, a commodity and/or a derivative. For example, an oil company might issue a commodity-linked bond that pays a fixed level of interest plus additional interest that accrues in correlation with the extent to which oil prices exceed a certain predetermined level. This is a hybrid instrument combining a bond with an option on oil.

 

Depending on the types and terms of hybrid instruments, they present risks that may be similar to, different from or greater than those associated with more traditional investments with similar characteristics. Hybrid instruments are potentially more volatile than traditional investments and, depending on the structure of the particular hybrid, may expose the Fund to additional leverage and liquidity risks. Moreover, the purchase of hybrids exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuers of the hybrids. Described below are certain hybrid instruments the Fund may use in seeking to achieve its investment objective. The sub-adviser reserves the right to use the instruments mentioned below and similar instruments that may be available in the future.

 

Credit-Linked Securities. Credit-linked securities are issued by a limited purpose trust or other vehicle that, in turn, invests in a basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and other securities. Investments in credit-linked securities normally consist of the right to receive periodic payments during the term and payment of principal at the end of the term. However, these payments depend on the issuer’s own investments in derivative instruments and are, accordingly, subject to the risks associated with derivative instruments, which include volatility, illiquidity and counterparty risk.

 

Indexed Securities and Structured Notes. Indexed securities are derivative securities the interest rate or principal of which is determined by an unrelated indicator (e.g., a currency, security, commodity or index). Structured notes are debt indexed securities. Indexed securities implicate a high degree of leverage, which magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss, when they include a multiplier that multiplies the indexed element by a specific factor.

 

Structured notes and indexed securities can be very volatile investments because, depending on how they are structured, their value may either increase or decrease in response to the value of the Underlying Instruments. The terms of these securities may also provide that in some instances no principal is due at maturity, which may result in a loss of invested capital. These instruments also may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of securities because the investor bears the risk not only of the instrument but also of the unrelated indicator. Indexed securities may involve significant credit risk and liquidity risk and, as with other sophisticated strategies, the Fund’s use of these instruments may not work as intended.

 

Event-Linked Bonds. The Fund may invest in “event-linked bonds” (or “catastrophe bonds”). The event-linked bond market is a growing sector of the global fixed income market that provides investors with high return potentials in exchange for taking on “event risk,” such as the risk of a major hurricane, earthquake or pandemic. If such trigger event occurs, the Fund may lose a portion of its entire principal invested in the bond. Some event-linked bonds provide for an extension of maturity to process and audit loss claims if a trigger has, or possibly has, occurred. Such extension may increase volatility. Event-linked bonds may also expose the Fund to other unanticipated risks including credit risk, counterparty risk, liquidity risk, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations and adverse tax consequences. Event-linked bonds are subject to the risks inherent in derivative transactions. See “Risk Factors in Derivative Instruments” below.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund also may purchase and sell foreign currency options and foreign currency futures contracts and futures options, and they may engage in foreign currency transactions either on a spot (cash) basis at prevailing currency exchange rates or through forward currency contracts. The Fund may engage in these transactions to hedge, directly or indirectly, against currency fluctuations, for other investment purposes and/or to seek to enhance returns. The Fund may enter into currency transactions only with counterparties that the sub-adviser deems to be creditworthy. Certain of the foreign currency transactions the Fund may use are described below.

 

Forward Currency Contracts. The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts (“forwards”) in connection with settling purchases or sales of securities, to hedge the currency exposure associated with some or all of the Fund’s investments or as part of its investment strategy. Forwards are OTC contracts to purchase or sell a specified amount of a specified currency or multinational currency unit at a set price on a future date. The market value of a forward fluctuates with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Forwards are marked to market daily based upon foreign currency exchange rates from an independent pricing service, and the change in value is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. The Fund’s gains from its positions in forward foreign currency contracts may accelerate and/or recharacterize the Fund’s income or gains and its distributions to shareholders. The Fund’s losses from such positions may also recharacterize the Fund’s income and its distributions to shareholders and may cause a return of capital to Fund shareholders. Such acceleration or recharacterization could affect an investor’s tax liability. Forwards are highly volatile, involve substantial currency risk and may also involve credit and liquidity risks.

 

The Fund may use a forward in a “settlement hedge,” or “transaction hedge,” to lock in the U.S. dollar price on the purchase or sale of securities denominated in a foreign currency between the time when the security is purchased or sold and the time at which payment is received. Forward contracts on foreign currency may also be used by the Fund in anticipation generally of the Fund’s making investments denominated in a foreign currency, even if the specific investments have not yet been selected by the sub-adviser.

 

In a “position hedge,” the Fund uses a forward contract to hedge against a decline in the value of existing investments

 

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denominated in foreign currency. For example, the Fund may enter into a forward contract to sell Japanese yen in return for U.S. dollars in order to hedge against a possible decline in the yen’s value. Position hedges tend to offset both positive and negative currency fluctuations. Alternately, the Fund could hedge its position by selling another currency expected to perform similarly to the Japanese yen. This is called a “proxy hedge” and may offer advantages in terms of cost, yield or efficiency. However, proxy hedges may result in losses if the currency used to hedge does not move in tandem with the currency in which the hedged securities are denominated.

 

The Fund may also engage in cross-hedging by entering into forward contracts in one currency against a different currency. Cross-hedging may be used to limit or increase exposure to a particular currency or to establish active exposure to the exchange rate between the two currencies.

 

Options on foreign currencies are affected by the factors that influence foreign exchange rates and investments generally. The Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions on foreign currency options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market, and there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option at any specific time.

 

Forward Rate Agreements. The Fund may also enter into forward rate agreements. Under a forward rate agreement, the buyer locks in an interest rate at a future settlement date. If the interest rate on the settlement date exceeds the lock rate, the buyer pays the seller the difference between the two rates. If the lock rate exceeds the interest rate on the settlement date, the seller pays the buyer the difference between the two rates. Any such gain received by the Fund would be taxable. These instruments are traded in the OTC market. These transactions involve risks, including counterparty risk. See “Risk Factors in Derivative Instruments” below.

 

Currency Swaps, Options and Futures. In order to protect against currency fluctuations and for other investment purposes, the Fund may enter into currency swaps, options and futures. Options on foreign currencies are affected by the factors that influence foreign exchange rates and investments generally. The Fund’s ability to establish and close out positions on foreign currency options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid secondary market, and there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option at any specific time. See “Swap Agreements and Swaptions – Currency Swaps,” “Options Contracts,” and “Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts” herein.

 

Additional Risks Associated with Foreign Currency Transactions. It is extremely difficult to forecast currency market movements, and whether any hedging or other investment strategy will be successful is highly uncertain. Further, it is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration of a foreign currency forward. Therefore, the Fund may be required to buy or sell additional currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such transaction) if the sub-adviser’s predictions regarding the movement of foreign currency or securities markets prove inaccurate. To the extent the Fund hedges against anticipated currency movements that do not occur, the Fund may realize losses and reduce its total return as a result of its hedging transactions. It is impossible to hedge fully or perfectly against the effects of currency fluctuations on the value of non-U.S. securities because currency movements impact the value of different securities in differing degrees.

 

The Fund may buy or sell foreign currency options either on exchanges or in the OTC market. Foreign currency transactions on foreign exchanges may not be regulated to the same extent as similar transactions in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lesser trading volume. Foreign currency transactions are also subject to the risks inherent in investments in foreign markets. Please see “Foreign Investments” below.

 

Risk Factors in Derivative Instruments. Derivatives are volatile and involve significant risks, including:

 

·Correlation Risk – the risk that changes in the value of a derivative instrument will not match the changes in the value of the Fund holdings that are being hedged.

 

·Counterparty Risk – the risk that the party on the other side of an OTC derivatives contract or a borrower of the Fund’s securities may be unable or unwilling to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments, or otherwise to honor its obligations.

 

·Credit Risk – the risk that the issuer of a security will not be able to make timely principal and interest payments. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may affect the value of the Fund’s investment in and/or exposure to that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.

 

·Currency Risk – the risk that changes in the exchange rate between currencies will adversely affect the value (in U.S. dollar terms) of an investment.

 

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·Index Risk – in respect of index-linked derivatives, the risks associated with changes in the underlying indices. If an underlying index changes, the Fund may receive lower interest payments or experience a reduction in the value of the derivative to below what the Fund paid. Certain indexed securities, including inverse securities (which move in an opposite direction from the reference index), may create leverage to the extent that they increase or decrease in value at a rate that is a multiple of the changes in the applicable index.

 

·Interest Rate Risk – the risk that the value of an investment may decrease when interest rates rise because when interest rates rise, the prices of bonds and fixed rate loans fall. Generally, the longer the maturity of a bond or fixed rate loan, the more sensitive it is to this risk (interest rate risk is commonly measured by a fixed income investment’s duration). Falling interest rates also create the potential for a decline in the Fund’s income.

 

·Leverage Risk – the risk associated with certain types of investments or trading strategies (for example, borrowing money to increase the amount being invested) that relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of an investment. Certain investments or trading strategies that involve leverage can result in losses that substantially exceed the amount originally invested.

 

·Liquidity Risk – the risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the seller would like to sell them or at the price the seller believes the security is currently worth.

 

·Short Position Risk – The Fund may also take a short position in a derivative instrument, such as a future, forward or swap. A short position in a derivative instrument involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the value of the underlying instrument which could cause the Fund to suffer a (potentially unlimited) loss.

 

·Tax Risk – The tax treatment of a derivative may not be as favorable as a direct investment in the underlying asset. The use of derivatives may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments, and could impair the ability of the sub-adviser to use derivatives when it wishes to do so.

 

The potential loss on derivative instruments may be substantial relative to the initial investment therein. The Fund incurs transaction costs in opening and closing positions in derivative instruments. There can be no assurance that the use of derivative instruments will be advantageous.

 

Additional Risk Factors and Considerations of OTC Transactions. Certain derivatives traded in OTC markets, including swaps, OTC options and indexed securities, involve substantial liquidity risk. This risk may be increased in times of financial stress if the trading market for OTC derivatives contracts or otherwise becomes restricted. The absence of liquidity may make it difficult or impossible for the Fund to ascertain a market value for such instruments and/or to sell them promptly and at an acceptable price.

 

Because derivatives traded in OTC markets are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearing corporation and generally do not require payment of margin, to the extent that the Fund has unrealized gains in such instruments or has deposited collateral with its counterparty, the Fund is at risk that its counterparty will become bankrupt or otherwise fail to honor its obligations. The counterparty’s failure to honor its obligations would result in the loss of any premium paid by the Fund as well as the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction. In addition, closing transactions can be made for OTC options only by negotiating directly with the counterparty or effecting a transaction in the secondary market (if any such market exists). There can be no assurance that the Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration. In the event of insolvency of the counterparty, the Fund might be unable to close out an OTC option at any time prior to its expiration, if at all.

 

DOLLAR ROLLS. The Fund may enter into “dollar rolls” in which the Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) but not identical securities on a specified future date. The Fund gives up the right to receive principal and interest paid on the securities sold. However, the Fund would benefit to the extent that the price received for the securities sold is higher than the forward price for the future purchase plus any fee income received. Unless such benefits exceed the income and capital appreciation that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the dollar roll, the use of this technique would adversely affect the Fund’s investment performance. The benefits derived from the use of dollar rolls may depend, among other things, upon the ability of the Fund’s sub-adviser to predict interest rates correctly. There can be no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed. In addition, if the Fund uses dollar rolls while remaining substantially fully invested, the amount of the Fund’s assets that are subject to market risk would exceed such Fund’s net asset value, which could result in increased volatility of the price of the Fund’s shares. Further, entering into dollar rolls involves potential risks that are different from those related to the securities underlying the transactions. For example, if the counterparty becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to purchase from the counterparty may be restricted. Also, the value of the underlying security may change adversely before the Fund is able to purchase it, or the Fund may be required to purchase securities in connection with a dollar roll at a higher price than may be otherwise available on the open market. Further, because the counterparty may deliver a similar, but not identical, security, the Fund may be required to buy a security under the dollar roll that may be of less value than an identical security would have been.

 

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EQUITY RISK. Equity securities represent an ownership interest, or the right to acquire an ownership interest, in a company. Equity securities include but are not limited to common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into common or preferred stock and warrants or rights to acquire common stock, including options. The value of an equity security may be based on the real or perceived success or failure of the particular company’s business, any income paid to stockholders in the form of a dividend, the value of the company’s assets, general market conditions, or investor sentiment generally. Equity securities may have greater price volatility than other types of investments. These risks are generally magnified in the case of equity investments in distressed companies.

 

ESG INVESTING RISK. The consideration of certain environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) factors may exclude securities of certain issuers for reasons other than performance and, as a result, the Fund may underperform funds that are not subject to such criteria. Applying ESG criteria to investment decisions is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there is no guarantee that the criteria used will reflect the beliefs or values of any particular investor.

 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS (ETFs). ETFs are registered investment companies that trade their shares on stock exchanges (such as the NYSE Arca, Cboe BZX, and NASDAQ) at market prices (rather than net asset value) and only are redeemable from the fund itself in large increments or in exchange for baskets of securities. As an exchange traded security, an ETF’s shares are priced continuously and trade throughout the day. ETFs may track a securities index, a particular market sector, a particular segment of a securities index or market sector, or they may be actively managed. An investment in an ETF generally implicates the following risks: (i) the same primary risks as an investment in the Fund that is not exchange-traded that has the same investment objectives, strategies and policies of the ETF; (ii) the risk that the ETF may fail to accurately track the market segment or index that underlies its investment objective; (iii) the risk that, to the extent the ETF does not fully replicate the underlying index, the ETF’s investment strategy may not produce the intended results; (iv) the risk of more frequent price fluctuations due to secondary market trading, which may result in a loss to the Fund; (v) the risk that an ETF may trade at a price that is lower than its net asset value; and (vi) the risk that an active market for the ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained. Also, the Fund will indirectly pay a proportional share of the asset-based fees of the ETFs in which it invests. ETFs are also subject to specific risks depending on the nature of the ETF, such as liquidity risk, sector risk and foreign and emerging market risk, as well as risks associated with fixed income securities, real estate investments and commodities. An investment in an ETF presents the risk that the ETF may no longer meet the listing requirements of any applicable exchanges on which the ETF is listed. Further, trading in an ETF may be halted if the trading in one or more of the securities held by an ETF is halted. The Fund may pay brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of shares of ETFs.

 

Generally, the Fund will not purchase securities of an investment company (which would include an ETF) if, as a result: (1) more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of other investment companies; (2) such purchase would result in more than 3% of the total outstanding voting securities of any such investment company being held by the Fund; or (3) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in any one such investment company. Many ETFs have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit unaffiliated funds sponsored by other fund families to invest in the ETF’s shares beyond the above statutory limitations, subject to certain conditions and pursuant to a contractual arrangement between the ETFs and the investing fund. The Fund may rely on these exemptive orders to invest in ETFs. Please see “Other Investment Companies” below.

 

EXCHANGE-TRADED NOTES (ETNs). ETNs are a type of unsecured, unsubordinated debt security that have characteristics and risks similar to those of fixed-income securities, including credit risk, and trade on a major exchange similar to shares of ETFs. Unlike other types of fixed income securities, however, the performance of ETNs is based upon that of a market index or other reference asset minus fees and expenses, no coupon payments are made and no principal protection exists. The value of an ETN may be affected by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying commodities or securities markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the referenced commodity or security. The Fund’s ability to sell its ETN holdings also may be limited by the availability of a secondary market and the Fund may have to sell such holdings at a discount. ETNs also are subject to counterparty credit risk, fixed-income risk and tracking error risk (where the ETN’s performance may not match or correlate to that of its market index). ETNs also incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable index.

 

EVENT RISK. Event risk is the risk that corporate issuers may undergo restructurings, such as mergers, leveraged buyouts, takeovers or similar events financed by the issuer’s taking on additional debt. As a result of the added debt, the credit quality and market value of a company’s bonds and/or other debt securities may decline significantly.

 

FIXED INCOME SECURITIES. The Fund is permitted to invest in fixed income securities including, but not limited to: (1) securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; (2) non-convertible debt securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations or other issuers (including foreign issuers); (3) asset-backed securities; (4) mortgage-related securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”); (5) securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by a foreign issuer, including supranational entities such as development banks, non-U.S. corporations, banks or bank holding companies or other foreign issuers; (6) commercial mortgage-backed securities; and (7) other capital securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. corporations or other issuers (including foreign issuers).

 

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FOREIGN INVESTMENTS. The Fund may invest in foreign issuers and borrowers, which include: (1) companies organized outside of the United States, including in emerging market countries; (2) foreign sovereign governments and their agencies, authorities, instrumentalities and political subdivisions, including foreign states, provinces or municipalities; and (3) issuers and borrowers whose economic fortunes and risks are primarily linked with markets outside the United States. These securities may be denominated, quoted in or pay income in, U.S. dollars or in a foreign currency. Certain companies organized outside the United States may not be deemed to be foreign issuers or borrowers if the issuer’s or borrower’s economic fortunes and risks are primarily linked with U.S. markets.

 

Investing in securities of foreign issuers and loans to foreign borrowers involves considerations and potential risks not typically associated with investing in obligations issued by U.S. entities. Less information may be available about foreign entities compared with U.S. entities. For example, foreign issuers and borrowers generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or to other regulatory practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers and borrowers. In addition, prices of foreign securities may fluctuate more than prices of securities traded in the United States. Other potential foreign market risks include difficulties in pricing securities, defaults on foreign government securities, difficulties in enforcing favorable legal judgments in foreign courts and political and social conditions, such as diplomatic relations, confiscatory taxation, expropriation, limitation on the removal of funds or assets or imposition of (or change in) exchange control regulations. Legal remedies available to investors in certain foreign countries may be less extensive than those available to investors in the United States or other foreign countries. In addition, changes in government administrations or economic or monetary policies in the United States or abroad could result in appreciation or depreciation of portfolio securities. Any of these actions could severely affect security prices, impair the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer the Fund’s assets or income back into the United States, or otherwise adversely affect the Fund’s operations.

 

Recent geopolitical events in the European Union (particularly in Greece and Italy) and in China may disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. Such developments could lead to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on world economies and markets generally. Those events as well as other changes in regional economic and political conditions could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of the Fund’s investments. Given the increasing interdependence among global economies and markets, conditions in one country, market, or region might adversely affect markets, issuers, and/or foreign exchange rates in other countries.

 

A default or debt restructuring by any European country would adversely impact holders of that country’s debt, and sellers of credit default swaps linked to that country’s creditworthiness (which may be located in other countries). These events may have an adverse effect on the value and exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including European Union member countries that do not use the euro and non-European Union member countries.  If any member country exits the European Monetary Union, the departing country would face the risks of currency devaluation and its trading partners and banks and others around the world that hold the departing country’s debt would face the risk of significant losses.  In addition, the resulting economic instability of Europe and the currency markets in general could have a severe adverse effect on the value of securities held by the Fund.

 

Certain European countries in which the Fund may invest have recently experienced significant volatility in financial markets and may continue to do so in the future. The impact of the United Kingdom’s intended departure from the European Union, commonly known as “Brexit,” and the potential departure of one or more other countries from the European Union may have significant political and financial consequences for global markets.  These consequences include greater market volatility and illiquidity, currency fluctuations, deterioration in economic activity, a decrease in business confidence and an increased likelihood of a recession in such markets. Uncertainty relating to the withdrawal procedures and timeline may have adverse effects on asset valuations and the renegotiation of current trade agreements, as well as an increase in financial regulation in such markets. This may adversely impact Fund performance.

 

Currency Risk and Exchange Risk. Because foreign securities generally are denominated and pay dividends or interest in foreign currencies, the value of the Fund that invests in foreign securities as measured in U.S. dollars will be affected by changes in exchange rates. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency loses value because the currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. Conversely, when the U.S. dollar decreases in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency gains value because the currency is worth more U.S. dollars. This risk, generally known as “currency risk,” means that a stronger U.S. dollar will reduce returns for U.S. investors while a weak U.S. dollar will increase those returns. Moreover, transaction costs are incurred in connection with conversions between currencies.

 

Linked Notes. The Fund may invest in debt exchangeable for common stock, debt, currency or equity linked notes and similar linked securities (e.g., zero-strike warrants) (“LNs”), which are derivative securities, typically issued by a financial institution or special purpose entity, the performance of which depends on the performance of a corresponding foreign security or index. Upon redemption or maturity, the principal amount or redemption amount is payable based on the price level of the linked security or index at the time of redemption or maturity, or is exchanged for corresponding shares of common stock. LNs are generally subject to the same risks as direct holdings of securities of foreign issuers and non-dollar securities, including currency risk and the risk that the

 

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amount payable at maturity or redemption will be less than the principal amount of a note because the price of the linked security or index has declined. LNs are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the company issuing the LN may fail to pay the full amount due at maturity or redemption. The Fund may also have difficulty disposing of LNs because there may be restrictions on redemptions and there may be no market or only a thin trading market in such securities.

 

Settlement Risk. Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets differ significantly from those in the United States. Foreign settlement procedures and trade regulations may involve certain risks (such as delays in payment for or delivery of securities) not typically generated in the settlement of U.S. investments. Settlements in certain foreign countries at times have not kept pace with the number of securities transactions being undertaken; these problems may make it difficult for the Fund to carry out transactions. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a purchase of securities, it may miss attractive investment opportunities and certain of its assets may remain uninvested with no return earned thereon for some period. There may also be the danger that, because of uncertainties in the operation of settlement systems in individual markets, competing claims may arise in respect of securities held by or to be transferred to the Fund. Further, compensation schemes may be non-existent, limited or inadequate to meet the Fund’s claims in any of these events. In connection with any of these events, and other similar circumstances, the Fund may experience losses because of failures of or defects in settlement systems.

 

There are additional and magnified risks involved with investments in emerging or developing markets, which may exhibit greater price volatility and risk of principal, have less liquidity and have settlement arrangements that are less efficient than in developed markets. In addition, the economies of emerging market countries generally are heavily dependent on international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. Emerging market economies also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. See “Investments in Emerging Market Securities” below.

 

Government Intervention in Financial Markets. From time to time, governments – including the U.S. Government, may take actions that directly affect the financial markets. During the 2008 global financial crisis, for example, instability in the financial markets led the U.S. Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations may in the future take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. In particular, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) provides for widespread regulation of financial institutions, consumer financial products and services, broker-dealers, over-the-counter derivatives, investment advisers, credit rating agencies and mortgage lending, which expands federal oversight in the financial sector and may affect the investment management industry as a whole. The Dodd-Frank Act leaves many issues to be resolved by regulatory studies and rulemakings, and in some cases further remedial legislation, by deferring their resolution to a future date. This legislation, as well as additional legislation and regulatory changes that may be enacted in the future, could change the fund industry as a whole and limit or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such programs may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation and performance of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the Fund to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Fund. The Fund has established procedures to assess the liquidity of portfolio holdings and to value instruments for which market prices may not be readily available. The adviser and the sub-adviser will monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no assurance that they will be successful in doing so.

 

HIGH YIELD INVESTMENTS (“JUNK BONDS”). Any security or loan with a long-term credit rating of “Ba” or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), “BB” or lower by Standard and Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or “BB” or lower by Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”), as well as any security or loan that is unrated but determined by the sub-adviser to be of comparable quality, is below investment grade.

 

Securities and bank loans rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as “high yield-high risk debt securities,” “junk bonds,” “leveraged loans” or “emerging market debt,” as the case may be. Each rating category has within it different gradations or sub-categories. For instance the “Ba” rating for Moody’s includes “Ba3”, “Ba2” and “Ba1”. Likewise the S&P and Fitch rating category of “BB” includes “BB+”, “BB” and “BB-”. If the Fund is authorized to invest in a certain rating category, the Fund is also permitted to invest in any of the sub-categories or gradations within that rating category. Descriptions of the debt securities and bank loans ratings system, including the speculative characteristics attributable to each ratings category, are set forth in Appendix A to this SAI.

 

Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. Junk bonds may be issued by less creditworthy issuers. Issuers of junk bonds

 

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may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. In the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of junk bond holders, leaving few or no assets available to repay junk bond holders. Junk bonds are also subject to extreme price fluctuations. Adverse changes in an issuer’s industry and general economic conditions may have a greater impact on the prices of junk bonds than on other higher rated fixed income securities. Further, issuers of junk bonds may be unable to meet their interest or principal payment obligations because of an economic downturn, specific issuer developments or the unavailability of additional financing.

 

In addition, junk bonds frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security before it matures. If an issuer redeems junk bonds owned by the Fund, the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields and may lose income. Junk bonds may also be less liquid than higher rated fixed income securities, even under normal economic conditions. Moreover, there are relatively few dealers in the junk bond market, and there may be significant differences among these dealers’ price quotes. Because they are less liquid, judgment may play a greater role in valuing these securities than is the case with securities that trade in a more liquid market.

 

The Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer. The credit rating of a junk bond does not necessarily take into account its market value risk. Ratings and market value may change from time to time, positively or negatively, to reflect new developments regarding the issuer. These securities and bank loans generally entail greater risk (including the possibility of default or bankruptcy of the issuer), involve greater volatility of price and risk to principal and income and may be less liquid than securities and bank loans in higher rating categories. Securities and bank loans in the highest category below investment grade are considered to be of poor standing and predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations. As such, these investments often have reduced values that, in turn, negatively impact the value of the Fund’s shares. If a security or bank loan is downgraded to a rating category that does not qualify for investment, the sub-adviser will use its discretion on whether to hold or sell based upon its opinion on the best method to maximize value for shareholders over the long term.

 

Distressed Securities. The Fund may invest in debt securities issued by companies that are involved in reorganizations, financial restructurings or bankruptcy. Investments in such distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in junk bonds. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on the distressed securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. In addition, distressed securities involve the substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. These securities may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal of or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities, including equity securities, with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale, and sales may be possible only at substantial discounts. Distressed securities and any securities received in exchange for such securities may also be difficult to value and/or liquidate.

 

ILLIQUID INVESTMENTS. An illiquid investment for the Fund means any investment that the Adviser or the Fund’s sub-adviser reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund may not be able to sell illiquid securities or other investments when the sub-adviser considers it desirable to do so or may have to sell such securities or other investments at a price that is lower than the price that could be obtained if the securities or other investments were more liquid. Illiquid securities also may be more difficult to value due to the lack of reliable market quotations for such securities or investments, and investments in them may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s net asset value.

 

Securities and other investments purchased by the Fund that are liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid due to events relating to the issuer of the security, market events, economic conditions or investor perceptions. Domestic and foreign markets are becoming more and more complex and interrelated such that events in one sector of the market or the economy, or in one geographical region, can reverberate and have negative consequences for other market, economic or regional sectors in a manner that may not be reasonably foreseen. With respect to over-the-counter (“OTC”) securities, the continued viability of any OTC secondary market depends on the continued willingness of dealers and other participants to purchase the securities.

 

INFLATION PROTECTED DEBT SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in inflation-protected debt securities, which are fixed income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. Two structures are common. The U.S. Treasury and some other issuers use a structure that accrues inflation into the principal value of the security. Most other issuers pay out the inflation accruals as part of a semiannual coupon.

 

The value of inflation protected securities generally fluctuates in response to changes in real interest rates (stated interest rates adjusted to factor in inflation). In general, the price of an inflation-indexed security decreases when real interest rates increase, and increases when real interest rates decrease.

 

Interest payments on inflation protected debt securities will fluctuate as the principal and/or interest is adjusted for inflation and can be unpredictable. The U.S. Treasury only began issuing TIPS in 1997, and corporations began issuing corporate inflation

 

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protected securities (“CIPS”) even more recently. As a result, the market for such securities may be less developed or liquid, and more volatile, than certain other securities markets. There can be no assurance that the inflation index used in these securities (i.e., the CPI) will accurately measure the real rate of inflation. Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be considered taxable ordinary income for the amount of the increase in the calendar year, even though the Fund will not receive its principal until maturity. Although corporate inflation protected securities with different maturities may be issued in the future, the U.S. Treasury currently issues TIPS in five-year, ten-year and twenty-year maturities, and CIPS are currently issued in five-year, seven-year and ten-year maturities. Repayment of the original security principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is generally guaranteed in the case of TIPS, even during a period of deflation. However, the current market value of the securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate. Other inflation related securities, such as CIPS, may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the security repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.

 

While these securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to declines in value. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the security’s inflation measure.

 

The periodic adjustment of U.S. inflation-protected debt securities is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”), which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is an index of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy. Inflation-protected debt securities issued by a foreign government are generally adjusted to reflect a comparable inflation index calculated by that government. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or any foreign inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the rate of inflation in a foreign country will be correlated to the rate of inflation in the United States.

 

Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-protected debt security will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.

 

INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS. The prices of securities purchased in initial public offerings (“IPOs”) can be very volatile and/or decline shortly after the IPO. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information about the issuing companies may be available for only very limited periods. Some of the companies involved in new industries may be regarded as developmental stage companies, without revenues or operating income, or the near-term prospects of them. Many IPOs are by small- or micro-cap companies that are undercapitalized. The effect of IPOs on the Fund’s performance depends on a variety of factors, including the number of IPOs the Fund invests in relative to the size of the Fund and whether and to what extent a security purchased in an IPO appreciates and depreciates in value. Although investments in IPOs have the potential to produce substantial gains in a short period of time, there is no assurance that the Fund will have access to profitable IPOs, that any particular IPO will be successful, or that any gains will be sustainable. Investors should not rely on past gains attributable to IPOs as an indication of future performance.

 

INTEREST RATE RISK. Interest rate risk is the risk that an investment held by the Fund may go down in value when interest rates rise because when interest rates rise, the prices of bonds and fixed rate loans fall. Generally, the longer the maturity of a bond or fixed rate loan, the more sensitive it is to this risk. For this reason, the longer the Fund’s average weighted portfolio maturity, the greater the impact a change in interest rates will have on its share price. A variety of factors can cause interest rates to rise, including central bank monetary policies and inflation rates. Falling interest rates may also lead to a decline in the Fund’s income. Interest rates in the United States are near historic lows. This may increase the Fund’s exposure to risks associated with rising rates, which may be particularly relevant for the Fund under current economic conditions, in which interest rates remain near historic lows and the Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) has begun, and may continue, to raise interest rates. To the extent the Fed continues to raise interest rates, there is a risk that interest rates across the U.S. financial system may rise. Actions taken by the Fed or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, such as decreases or increases in short-term interest rates, may adversely affect markets, which could, in turn, negatively impact Fund performance. Moreover, rising interest rates may lead to decreased liquidity in the bond markets, making it more difficult for the Fund to value or sell some or all of its bond holdings at any given time. A rise in interest rates could also cause investors to rapidly move out of fixed-income securities, which may increase repurchase requests in the Fund and subject the Fund to increased liquidity risk. A substantial increase in interest rates may also have an adverse impact on the liquidity of one or more portfolio securities, especially those with longer maturities.

 

INVERSE FLOATING RATE SECURITIES. Inverse floating rate securities, also called inverse floaters or residual interest bonds, are variable-rate securities whose coupon changes in a direction opposite from that of a specified interest rate. Generally, income on inverse floaters decreases when interest rates rise and increases when interest rates fall. Inverse floaters may be subject to leverage risk and counterparty risk. These risks are greater for inverse floaters that are structured as tender option bonds (“TOBs”). Inverse floaters can have the effect of providing a degree of investment leverage because they may increase or decrease in value in response to changes (e.g., changes in market interest rates) at a rate that is a multiple of the rate at which fixed-rate securities increase or decrease in response to the same changes. Therefore, the market values of such securities are generally more volatile than the market values of fixed-rate securities (especially during periods when interest rates are fluctuating). The Fund could lose money and its net asset value could decline if movements in interest rates are incorrectly anticipated. Moreover, the markets for this type of security may be less developed and less liquid than the markets for traditional municipal securities. Investments in inverse floaters in

 

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the form of TOBs are also subject to risks related to the termination of the trust that issues the TOB, which could expose the Fund to losses associated with such termination.

 

The Fund may invest in municipal inverse floaters, which are a type of inverse floater in which a municipal bond is deposited with a special purpose vehicle (SPV), which issues, in return, the municipal inverse floater (which is comprised of a residual interest in the cash flows and assets of the SPV) plus proceeds from the issuance by the SPV of floating rate certificates to third-parties. This type of municipal inverse floater generally includes the right to “unwind” the transaction by (1) causing the holders of the floating rate certificates to tender their certificates at par and (2) returning the municipal inverse floater to the SPV in exchange for the original municipal bond. If the holder of the inverse floater exercises this right, it would pay the par amount due on the floating rate certificates and exchange the municipal inverse floater for the underlying municipal bond. The SPV may also be terminated for other reasons (as defined in its operative documents), such as a downgrade in the credit rating of the underlying municipal bond, a payment failure by or the bankruptcy of the issuer of the underlying municipal bond, the inability to remarket floating rate certificates or the SPV’s failure to obtain renewal of the liquidity agreement relating to the floating rate certificates. In the event of such a termination, an investor, such as the Fund, shall have the option but not the obligation to effect the economic equivalent of an “unwind” of the transaction. The holder of a municipal inverse floater generally bears all of the investment risk associated with the underlying bond.

 

Inverse floating rate securities are subject to the risks inherent in derivative instruments. See “Derivative Instruments” herein.

 

INVESTMENT GRADE SECURITIES. The Fund is permitted to invest in debt securities rated within the four highest rating categories (e.g., “Aaa”, “Aa”, “A” or “Baa” by Moody’s, “AAA”, “AA”, “A” or “BBB” by S&P or “AAA”, “AA”, “A” or “BBB” by Fitch) (or, if unrated, securities of comparable quality as determined by the sub-adviser) (see Appendix A to this SAI for a description of applicable securities ratings). These investments are generally referred to as “investment grade investments.” Each rating category has within it different gradations or sub-categories. If the Fund is authorized to invest in a certain rating category, the Fund is also permitted to invest in any of the sub-categories or gradations within that rating category. If a security is downgraded to a rating category that does not qualify for investment, the sub-adviser will use its discretion on whether to hold or sell based upon its opinion on the best method to maximize value for shareholders over the long term. Debt securities carrying the fourth highest rating (e.g., “Baa” by Moody’s, “BBB” by S&P and “BBB” by Fitch) and unrated securities of comparable quality (as determined by the sub-adviser) are considered to have speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments, involve a higher degree of risk and are more sensitive to economic change than higher rated securities.

 

INVESTMENTS IN EMERGING MARKET SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers that conduct their principal business activities in, or whose securities are traded principally on exchanges located in, less developed countries considered to be “emerging markets.” Unless otherwise stated in the Fund’s investment strategy, emerging markets are those markets (1) included in emerging market or equivalent classifications by the United Nations (and its agencies); (2) having per capita income in the low to middle ranges, as determined by the World Bank; or (3) the Fund’s benchmark index provider designates as emerging. Emerging countries are generally located in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Eastern and Central Europe and Central and South America. Investing in emerging market securities involves not only the risks described above with respect to investing in foreign securities, but also other risks that may be more severe and pervasive than those present in foreign countries with more developed markets. Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. The value of the Fund’s investments in emerging markets securities may be adversely affected by changes in the political, economic or social conditions, expropriation, nationalization, limitation on the removal of funds or assets, controls, tax regulations and other restrictions in emerging market countries. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and most claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that such expropriations will not reoccur. In such circumstances, it is possible that the Fund could lose the entire amount of its investments in the affected market.

 

Some countries have pervasive corruption and crime that may hinder investments. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. The Fund’s emerging market investments may introduce exposure to economic structures that are generally less diverse and mature than, and to political systems that can be expected to have less stability than, those of developed countries.  Other characteristics of emerging markets that may affect investments include national policies that may restrict investment by foreigners in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests and the absence of developed legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property.  Settlements of trades in emerging markets may be subject to significant delays. The inability to make intended purchases of securities due to settlement problems could cause missed investment opportunities. Losses could also be caused by an inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems. Also, the typically small size of the markets for securities of issuers located in emerging markets and the possibility of a low or nonexistent volume of trading in those securities may result in lack of liquidity and price volatility of those securities. In addition, traditional measures of investment value used in the United States, such as price to earnings ratios, may not apply to certain small markets. Also, there may be less publicly available information about issuers in emerging markets than would be available about issuers in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject. In addition to withholding taxes on investment income, some countries with emerging markets may impose differential capital gains

 

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taxes on foreign investors.

 

The risks outlined above are often more pronounced in “frontier markets” in which the Fund may invest. Frontier markets are those emerging markets that are considered to be among the smallest, least mature and least liquid, and as a result, the risks of investing in emerging markets are magnified in frontier markets. This magnification of risks is the result of a number of factors, including: government ownership or control of parts of the private sector and of certain companies; trade barriers; exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which frontier market countries trade; less uniformity in accounting and reporting requirements; unreliable securities valuation; greater risk associated with custody of securities; and the relatively new and unsettled securities laws in many frontier market countries. In addition, the markets of frontier countries typically have low trading volumes, leading to a greater potential for extreme price volatility and illiquidity. This volatility may be further increased by the actions of a few major investors. For example, a substantial increase or decrease in cash flows of mutual funds investing in these markets could significantly affect local securities prices and, therefore, the net asset value of the Fund. All of these factors make investing in frontier market countries significantly riskier than investing in other countries, including more developed and traditional emerging market countries, and any one of them could cause the net asset value of the Fund’s shares to decline.

 

In addition to the risks of foreign investing and the risks of investing in emerging or frontier markets, investments in certain countries with recently developed markets and structures, such as Nigeria, Croatia and Russia, implicate certain specific risks. Because of the recent formation of these securities markets and the underdeveloped state of these countries’ banking systems, settlement, clearing and registration of securities transactions are subject to significant risks. Share ownership is often defined and evidenced by extracts from entries in a company’s share register, but such extracts are neither negotiable instruments nor effective evidence of securities ownership. Further, the registrars in these countries are not necessarily subject to effective state supervision or licensed by any governmental entity, there is no central registration system for shareholders and it is possible for the Fund to lose its entire ownership rights through fraud, negligence or mere oversight. In addition, while applicable regulations may impose liability on registrars for losses resulting from their errors, it may be difficult for the Fund to enforce any rights it may have against the registrar or issuer of the securities in the event of loss of share registration. In Croatia, these risks are limited to investments in securities that are not traded on the national stock exchange. However, in other countries, including Nigeria and Russia, all securities investments are subject to these risks.

 

The Fund may invest in Sukuk. Sukuk are similar to conventional senior, unsecured bonds but are structured to comply with Sharia, or Islamic, law and its investment principles, which, inter alia, prohibit the charging or paying of interest. Sukuk represent undivided shares in the income generated by an underlying asset or pool of assets (the “Underlying Assets”) and/or contractual payment obligations of an obligor.

 

Obligors include international financial institutions, corporations, foreign governments and agencies of foreign governments (each, an “Obligor”). Obligors typically arrange for the issue sukuk through a special purpose vehicle or similar corporate entity (the “Sukuk Issuer”). For sukuk linked to Underlying Assets, title to the Underlying Assets is transferred to the Sukuk Issuer; for sukuk that are not linked to Underlying Assets, the sukuk represents an interest in the income stream generated by one or more contractual payment obligations of the Obligor to the Sukuk Issuer. In either event, the payments received by the investor do not come from interest on such investor’s money.

 

Since the investors in sukuk purchase an instrument with income or periodic payments linked to a specific income stream, investors are subject to the risk that the relevant Underlying Assets or the contractual payment obligations may not perform as expected, and the flow of income may, accordingly, be slower than expected or may cease altogether. In particular, Sukuk Issuers typically agree to redeem the sukuk at the end of a contractual term at an agreed price, similar to a maturity date. The ability of a Sukuk Issuer to redeem such sukuk is dependent on the income generated by the sukuk during its life and the ability and willingness of the Obligor to make payments to the Sukuk Issuer for payment to the investors.

 

No collateral, including the Underlying Assets, is pledged as security for sukuk. As unsecured investments, sukuk are backed only by the credit of the Obligor. Sukuk are also subject to the risks associated with developing and emerging market economies, which include, among others, inconsistent accounting and legal principles.

 

The process to resolve a default or other non-payment event in respect of sukuk is likely to take longer than resolving a default in respect of a bond. In addition, it is possible that evolving interpretations of Sharia law by courts or Islamic scholars on sukuk structures and sukuk transferability, or a determination subsequent to the issuance of a sukuk by courts or Islamic scholars that such sukuk does not comply with Sharia law and its investment principles, could have an adverse effect on the price and liquidity of a such sukuk, similarly-structured sukuk or the sukuk market in general and give rise to defenses of the Obligor and the Sukuk Issuer that amounts under the sukuk are not payable either in full or in part. In addition, investors’ ability to pursue and enforce actions with respect to these payment obligations or to otherwise enforce the terms of the sukuk, restructure the sukuk, obtain a judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction or attach assets of the Sukuk Issuer or the Obligor may be limited. In addition, as with conventional debt instruments, sukuk prices may change in response to global interest rate changes.

 

While the global sukuk market has grown in recent years, it is significantly smaller than bond market and there may be times

 

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when the market is illiquid and it is difficult to make an investment in, or dispose of, sukuk. Unlike bonds, sukuk are generally held to maturity, and trading is limited to the primary market.

 

Risks of Investments in Russia. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities issued by companies located in Russia. Because of the recent formation of the Russian securities markets as well as the underdeveloped state of Russia’s banking system, settlement, clearing and registration of securities transactions are subject to significant risks. Ownership of shares is defined according to entries in the company’s share register and normally evidenced by extracts from the register. These extracts are not negotiable instruments and are not effective evidence of securities ownership. The registrars are not necessarily subject to effective state supervision nor are they licensed with any governmental entity. Also, there is no central registration system for shareholders and it is possible for the Fund to lose its registration through fraud, negligence or mere oversight. While the Fund will endeavor to ensure that its interest continues to be appropriately recorded either itself or through a custodian or other agent inspecting the share register and by obtaining extracts of share registers through regular confirmations, these extracts have no legal enforceability and it is possible that subsequent illegal amendment or other fraudulent act may deprive the Fund of its ownership rights or improperly dilute its interest. In addition, while applicable Russian regulations impose liability on registrars for losses resulting from their errors, it may be difficult for the Fund to enforce any rights it may have against the registrar or issuer of the securities in the event of loss of share registration. To the extent that the Fund invests in Russian securities, the Fund intends to invest directly in Russian companies that use an independent registrar; there can be no assurance that such investments will not result in a loss to the Fund.

 

Certain of the companies in which the Fund may invest may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions or embargos imposed by the U.S. government, foreign governments, or the United Nations or other international organizations. In particular, as a result of recent events involving Ukraine and Russia, the United States and other countries have imposed economic sanctions on certain Russian individuals and a financial institution. The United States or other countries could also institute broader sanctions on Russia. These sanctions, or even the threat of further sanctions, may result in the decline of the value and liquidity of Russian securities, a weakening of the ruble or other adverse consequences to the Russian economy. These sanctions could also result in the immediate freeze of Russian securities, impairing the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. Sanctions could also result in Russia taking counter measures or retaliatory actions which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities. These sanctions, could also impair the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. For example, the Fund may be prohibited from investing in securities issued by companies subject to such sanctions. In addition, the sanctions may require the Fund to freeze its existing investments in companies operating in or having dealings with sanctioned countries, prohibiting the Fund from selling or otherwise transacting in these investments. This could impact the Fund’s ability to sell securities or other financial instruments as needed to meet shareholder repurchase requests.

 

LARGE SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION RISK. The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders purchase or request repurchases of large numbers of shares of the Fund. These shareholders (or a single shareholder) may purchase shares or request repurchases of the Fund in large amounts unexpectedly or rapidly, including as a result of an asset allocation decision made by the Fund’s investment adviser or sub-adviser. Such transactions could adversely affect the ability of the Fund to conduct its investment program. Such large shareholder repurchases may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s net asset value and liquidity. Large repurchase requests could also cause the Fund’s quarterly repurchase offers to be oversubscribed and result in shareholders only having a prorated portion of the shares they requested repurchased. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would. These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, large shareholder repurchases could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio.

 

LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Fund has entered into a securities lending agency agreement with Citibank, N.A. The Fund may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers and other institutions as a means of earning additional income. If the Fund security is on loan, under the lending agreement, the borrower is required to deposit cash or liquid securities as collateral at least equal to 100% of the market value of the loaned securities; cash collateral is invested for the benefit of the Fund by the Fund’s lending agent pursuant to collateral investment guidelines. The borrower is also required to pay the Fund any dividends or distributions accruing on the loaned securities. Substitute payments for dividends received by the Fund while its securities are loaned out will not be considered qualified dividend income. The Fund’s securities lending program does not restrict a security from being loaned based on the security’s anticipated dividend distribution.

 

The Fund does not have the right to vote proxies for securities that are on loan, but in order to vote the proxies it may recall loaned securities. However, the Board has approved guidelines that define circumstances (generally, those that may have a material effect on the Fund’s investment) under which the Fund security should be restricted from lending so that its proxies can be voted. Therefore, the Fund’s right to recall loaned securities for purposes of voting proxies may not be exercised if, for example, the Board-approved guidelines did not require the security to be restricted from lending or recalled, or if it is determined to be in the best interests of the Fund not to restrict or recall the security in order instead to earn additional income on the loan. For more information about proxy voting policies and instances in which the Fund’s sub-adviser may choose not to vote proxies, see “Proxy Voting Policies

 

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and Procedures” below.

 

The Fund is subject to certain risks while its securities are on loan, including the following: (i) the risk that the borrower defaults on the loan and the collateral is inadequate to cover the Fund’s loss; (ii) the risk that the earnings on the collateral invested are not sufficient to pay fees incurred in connection with the loan; (iii) the risk that the principal value of the collateral invested may decline; (iv) the risk that the borrower may use the loaned securities to cover a short sale, which may in turn place downward pressure on the market prices of the loaned securities; (v) the risk that return of loaned securities could be delayed and interfere with portfolio management decisions; and (vi) the risk that any efforts to restrict the securities for purposes of voting may not be effective.

 

LIQUIDATION OF FUND. The Board may determine to close and liquidate the Fund at any time. In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, shareholders will receive a liquidating distribution in cash or in-kind equal to their proportionate interest in the Fund. A liquidating distribution may be a taxable event for shareholders who do not hold their shares in a tax deferred account and, depending on a shareholder’s basis in his or her Fund shares, may result in the recognition of a gain or loss for tax purposes.

 

LOANS AND LOAN PARTICIPATIONS. Commercial banks and other financial institutions or institutional investors make corporate loans to companies that need capital to grow or restructure. Borrowers generally pay interest on corporate loans at rates that change in response to changes in market interest rates such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the prime rates of U.S. banks. As a result, the value of corporate loan investments is generally less exposed to the adverse effects of shifts in market interest rates than investments that pay a fixed rate of interest. However, because the trading market for certain corporate loans may be less developed than the secondary market for bonds and notes, the Fund may experience difficulties in selling its corporate loans. The Fund may make certain corporate loan investments as part of a broader group of lenders (together often referred to as a “syndicate”) that is represented by a leading financial institution (or agent bank). The syndicate’s agent arranges the corporate loans, holds collateral and accepts payments of principal and interest. If the agent develops financial problems or is terminated, the Fund may not recover its investment or recovery may be delayed. Corporate loans may be denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars and are subject to the credit risk of nonpayment of principal or interest. Further, substantial increases in interest rates may cause an increase in loan defaults. Although the loans will generally be fully collateralized at the time of acquisition, the collateral may decline in value, be relatively illiquid or lose all or substantially all of its value subsequent to investment. If a borrower files for protection from its creditors under the U.S. bankruptcy laws, these laws may limit the Fund’s rights to the collateral. In addition, the value of collateral may erode during a bankruptcy case. In the event of a bankruptcy, the holder of a corporate loan may not recover its principal, may experience a long delay in recovering its investment and may not receive interest during the delay.

 

The Fund may also invest in second lien loans (secured loans with a claim on collateral subordinate to a senior lender’s claim on such collateral) and unsecured loans. Holders’ claims under unsecured loans are subordinated to claims of creditors holding secured indebtedness and possibly other classes of creditors holding unsecured debt. Unsecured loans have a greater risk of default than secured loans, particularly during periods of deteriorating economic conditions. Also, since they do not afford the lender recourse to collateral, unsecured loans are subject to greater risk of nonpayment in the event of default than secured loans. Many such loans are relatively illiquid and may be difficult to value.

 

Some bank loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate the bank loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the borrower or take other action detrimental to the holders of the bank loans, including, in certain circumstances, invalidating such bank loans or causing interest previously paid to be refunded to the borrower. If interest were required to be refunded, it could negatively affect Fund performance.

 

Indebtedness of companies whose creditworthiness is poor involves substantially greater risks and may be highly speculative. Some companies may never pay off their indebtedness or pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. Consequently, when investing in indebtedness of companies with poor credit, the Fund bears a substantial risk of losing the entire amount invested.

 

Investments in bank loans through a direct assignment of the financial institution’s interest with respect to the bank loan may involve additional risks. For example, if a secured bank loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, the Fund could be held liable as a co-lender.

 

Bank loans may be structured to include both term loans, which are generally fully funded at the time of investment, and revolving credit facilities, which would require the Fund to make additional investments in the bank loans as required under the terms of the credit facility at the borrower’s demand.

 

A financial institution’s employment as agent bank may be terminated in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor agent bank would generally be appointed to replace the terminated agent bank, and assets held by the agent bank under the loan agreement would remain available to the holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the agent bank for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent bank’s general creditors, such Fund may incur certain costs and delays in realizing payments on a bank loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest.

 

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LIBOR Risk. According to various reports, certain financial institutions, commencing as early as 2005 and throughout the global financial crisis, routinely made artificially low submissions in the LIBOR rate setting process. Since the LIBOR scandal came to light, several financial institutions have been fined significant amounts by various financial regulators in connection with allegations of manipulation of LIBOR rates. Other financial institutions in various countries have been or are being investigated for similar actions. These developments may have adversely affected the interest rates on securities whose interest payments were determined by reference to LIBOR. Any future similar developments could, in turn, reduce the value of such securities owned by the Fund.

 

On July 27, 2017, the head of the United Kingdom’s (“UK”) Financial Conduct Authority announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. There remains uncertainty regarding the future utilization of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate. As such, the potential effect of a transition away from LIBOR on the Fund or the debt securities or other instruments based on or referencing LIBOR in which the Fund invests cannot yet be determined. The transition process might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. It could also lead to a reduction in the value of some LIBOR-based investments held by the Fund and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against existing LIBOR-based instruments.

 

Floating Rate Loans. The Fund may invest in interests in floating rate loans (often referred to as “floaters”). Senior floating rate loans hold the most senior position in the capital structure of a business entity (the “Borrower”), are typically secured by specific collateral and have a claim on the assets and/or stock of the Borrower that is senior to that held by subordinated debtholders and stockholders of the Borrower. The Fund may also invest in second lien loans (secured loans with a claim on collateral subordinate to a senior lender’s claim on such collateral) and unsecured loans. The Fund may also invest in companies whose financial condition is uncertain and that may be involved in bankruptcy proceedings, reorganizations or financial restructurings. Floating rate loans typically have rates of interest that are reset or redetermined daily, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually by reference to a base lending rate, plus a spread. The base lending rates are primarily the LIBOR, and secondarily the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks (the “Prime Rate”) and the certificate of deposit (“CD”) rate or other base lending rates used by commercial lenders. Floating rate loans are typically structured and administered by a financial institution that acts as the agent of the lenders participating in the floating rate loan. Floating rate loans may be acquired directly through the agent, as an assignment from another lender who holds a direct interest in the floating rate loan or as a participation interest in another lender’s portion of the floating rate loan.

 

The value of the collateral securing a floating rate loan can decline, be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower or be difficult to liquidate. As a result, a floating rate loan may not be fully collateralized and can decline significantly in value. Floating rate loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. The liquidity of floating rate loans, including the volume and frequency of secondary market trading in such loans, varies significantly over time and among individual floating rate loans. For example, if the credit quality of a floating rate loan unexpectedly declines significantly, secondary market trading in that floating rate loan can also decline for a period of time. During periods of infrequent trading, valuing a floating rate loan can be more difficult, and buying and selling a floating rate loan at an acceptable price can be more difficult and delayed. Difficulty in selling a floating rate loan can result in a loss and can hinder the Fund’s ability to meet repurchase requests.

 

Many loans in which the Fund may invest may not be rated by a rating agency, and many, if not all, loans will not be registered with the SEC or any state securities commission and will not be listed on any national securities exchange. The amount of public information available with respect to loans will generally be less extensive than that available for registered or exchange-listed securities. In evaluating the creditworthiness of Borrowers, the investment adviser and/or sub-adviser considers, and may rely in part, on analyses performed by others. In the event that loans are not rated, they are likely to be the equivalent of below investment grade quality. Debt securities that are rated below-investment-grade and comparable unrated bonds are viewed by the rating agencies as having speculative characteristics and are commonly known as “junk bonds”. Historically, senior-secured floating rate loans tend to have more favorable loss recovery rates than more junior types of below-investment-grade debt obligations. The sub-adviser does not view ratings as the primary factor in its investment decisions and relies more upon its credit analysis abilities than upon ratings.

 

Loans and other corporate debt obligations are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. Floating rate loans are rated below-investment-grade, which means that rating agencies view them as more likely to default in payment than investment-grade loans. Such non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the investment and a potential decrease in the net asset value of the Fund. Some floating rate loans are also subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate such floating rate loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the Borrower or take other action detrimental to the holders of floating rate loans including, in certain circumstances, invalidating such floating rate loans or causing interest previously paid to be refunded to the Borrower. If interest were required to be refunded, it could negatively affect the Fund’s performance.

 

Prepayment Risks. Most floating rate loans and certain debt securities allow for prepayment of principal without penalty. Loans and securities subject to prepayment risk generally offer less potential for gains when interest rates decline, and may offer a greater potential for loss when interest rates rise. In addition, with respect to fixed-rate investments, rising interest rates may cause prepayments to occur at a slower than expected rate, thereby effectively lengthening the maturity of the investment and making the investment more sensitive to interest rate changes. Accordingly, the potential for the value of a floating rate loan or security to

 

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increase in response to interest rate declines is limited. Further, loans or debt securities purchased to replace a prepaid loan or debt security may have lower yields than the yield on the prepaid loan or debt security.

 

Market Risks. Significant events, such as turmoil in the financial and credit markets, terrorist events, and other market disruption events, such as weather or infrastructure disruptions that affect the markets generally, can affect the liquidity of the markets and cause spreads to widen or interest rates to rise, resulting in a reduction in value of the Fund’s assets. Other economic factors (such as a large downward movement in security prices, a disparity in supply of and demand for certain loans and securities or market conditions that reduce liquidity) can also adversely affect the markets for debt obligations. Rating downgrades of holdings or their issuers will generally reduce the value of such holdings. The Fund is also subject to income risk, which is the potential for a decline in the Fund’s income due to falling interest rates or market reductions in spread.

 

Terrorist attacks and related events, including wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and their aftermath, and the recent rise of the militant group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, have led to increased short-term market volatility and may have long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets. A similar disruption of the financial markets, such as the problems in the subprime market, could affect interest rates, auctions, secondary trading, ratings, credit risk, inflation and other factors relating to investments in floating rate loans. In particular, junk bonds and floating rate loans tend to be more volatile than higher-rated fixed income securities; as such, these circumstances and any actions resulting from them may have a greater effect on the prices and volatility of junk bonds and floating rate loans than on higher-rated fixed income securities. The Fund cannot predict the effects of similar events in the future on the U.S. economy.

 

Material Non-Public Information. The Fund may be in possession of material non-public information about a Borrower or issuer as a result of its ownership of a loan or security of such Borrower or issuer. Because of prohibitions on trading in securities of issuers while in possession of such information, the Fund may be unable to enter into a transaction in a loan or security of such a Borrower or issuer when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so.

 

Regulatory Risk. To the extent that legislation or federal regulators impose additional requirements or restrictions on the ability of financial institutions to make loans, particularly in connection with highly leveraged transactions, floating rate loans for investment may become less available. Any such legislation or regulation could also depress the market values of floating rate loans. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, may, therefore, not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.

 

Loan Participations. A participation interest is a fractional interest in a loan, issued by a lender or other financial institution. The lender selling the participation interest remains the legal owner of the loan. Where the Fund is a participant in a loan, it does not have any direct claim on the loan or any rights of set-off against the borrower and may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan. As a result, the Fund is subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling a participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the lender and the borrower.

 

The lack of a highly liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the ability to dispose of particular loan participations when necessary to meet repurchase requests of the Fund’s shares, to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or when necessary in response to a specific economic event, such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a highly liquid secondary market for loan participations also may make it more difficult for the Fund to value these investments for purposes of calculating its net asset value.

 

Senior Loans. Senior debt (frequently issued in the form of senior notes or referred to as senior loans) is debt that takes priority over other unsecured or otherwise more “junior” debt owed by the issuer. Senior debt has greater seniority in the issuer’s capital structure than subordinated debt. In the event the issuer goes bankrupt, senior debt theoretically must be repaid before other creditors receive any payment. There is less readily available, reliable information about most senior loans than is the case for many other types of securities. In addition, there is no minimum rating or other independent evaluation of a borrower or its securities limiting the Fund’s investments in senior loans, and thus the sub-adviser relies primarily on its own evaluation of a borrower’s credit quality rather than on any available independent sources. As a result, the Fund that invests in senior loans is particularly dependent on the analytical abilities of its sub-adviser.

 

An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a senior loan may lose significant value even before a default occurs. Further, any specific collateral used to secure a senior loan may decline in value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect a senior loan’s value.

 

No active trading market may exist for certain senior loans, which may impair the Fund’s ability to realize full value in the event that it needs to sell a senior loan and may make it difficult to value senior loans. Adverse market conditions may impair the liquidity of some actively traded senior loans. To the extent that a secondary market does exist for certain senior loans, the market may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods.

 

Although senior loans in which the Fund invest generally will be secured by specific collateral, there can be no assurance that

 

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liquidation of such collateral would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of the bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing a senior loan. If the terms of a senior loan do not require the borrower to pledge additional collateral in the event of a decline in the value of the already pledged collateral, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the value of the collateral will not at all times equal or exceed the amount of the borrowers’ obligations under the senior loans. To the extent that a senior loan is collateralized by stock in the borrower or its subsidiaries, such stock may lose all of its value in the event of the bankruptcy of the borrower. Uncollateralized senior loans involve a greater risk of loss. Some senior loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate the senior loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the borrower or take other action detrimental to lenders, including the Fund. Such court action could under certain circumstances include the invalidation of senior loans.

 

If a senior loan is acquired through an assignment, the Fund may not be able unilaterally to enforce all rights and remedies under the loan and with regard to any associated collateral. If a senior loan is acquired through a participation, the acquiring Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the entity selling the participation.

 

Senior loans in which the Fund may invest may be rated below investment grade. The risks associated with these senior loans are similar to the risks of below investment grade securities, although senior loans are typically senior and secured in contrast to other below investment grade securities, which are often subordinated and unsecured. This higher standing of senior loans has historically resulted in generally higher recoveries in the event of a corporate reorganization. In addition, because their interest rates are typically adjusted for changes in short-term interest rates, senior loans generally are subject to less interest rate risk than other below investment grade securities (which are typically fixed rate).

 

Unsecured Loans. The claims of holders of unsecured loans are subordinated to, and thus lower in priority of payment to, claims of creditors holding secured indebtedness and possibly other classes of creditors holding unsecured debt. Unsecured loans have a greater risk of default than secured loans, particularly during periods of deteriorating economic conditions. In addition, since they do not afford the lender recourse to collateral, unsecured loans are subject to greater risk of nonpayment in the event of default than secured loans.

 

Delayed Settlement. Compared to securities and to certain other types of financial assets, purchases and sales of senior loans take relatively longer to settle, partly due to the fact that senior loans require a written assignment agreement and various ancillary documents for each transfer, and frequently require discretionary consents from both the borrower and the administrative agent. In addition, recent regulatory changes have increasingly caused dealers to insist on matching their purchases and sales, which can lead to delays in the Fund’s settlement of a purchase or sale of a senior loan in circumstances where the dealer’s corresponding transaction with another party is delayed. Dealers will also sometimes sell senior loans short, and hold their trades open for an indefinite period while waiting for a price movement or looking for inventory to purchase.

 

This extended settlement process can (i) increase the counterparty credit risk borne by the Fund; (ii) leave the Fund unable to timely vote, or otherwise act with respect to, senior loans it has agreed to purchase; (iii) delay the Fund from realizing the proceeds of a sale of a senior loan; (iv) inhibit the Fund’s ability to re-sell a senior loan that it has agreed to purchase if conditions change (leaving the Fund more exposed to price fluctuations); (v) prevent the Fund from timely collecting principal and interest payments; and (vi) expose the Fund to adverse tax or regulatory consequences.

 

Direct Lending. The Fund may invest in directly originated first lien senior secured loans (including “unitranche” loans, which are loans that combine both senior and mezzanine debt, generally in a first lien position), second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt, which in some cases includes an equity component, of U.S. and foreign middle-market companies, where the Sub-Adviser believes the supply of primary capital is limited and the investment opportunities are most attractive. These investments are typically made to companies with annual EBITDA between $[10] million and $[250] million. As used herein, EBITDA represents net income before net interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization.

 

Loan Origination. The Fund may originate loans, including, residential and/or commercial real estate or mortgage-related loans, consumer loans or other types of loans, which may be in the form of whole loans, secured and unsecured notes, senior and second lien loans, mezzanine loans or similar investments. The Fund may originate loans to corporations and/or other legal entities and individuals. Such borrowers may have credit ratings that are determined by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations or the Sub-Adviser to be below investment grade. The loans the Fund originates may vary in maturity and/or duration. The Fund is not limited in the size or type of loans it may originate, including with respect to a single borrower or with respect to borrowers that are determined to be below investment grade; however, the Fund may only invest up to 35% of its assets in loan investments. The Fund’s origination of loans may also be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company. The Fund will retain all, or an applicable pro rata portion of, fees received in connection with originating or structuring the terms of any such loan. In determining whether to make a direct loan, the Fund will rely primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower and/or any collateral for payment of interest and repayment of principal. In making a direct loan, the Fund is exposed to the

 

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risk that the borrower may default or become insolvent and, consequently, that the Fund will lose money on the loan. Furthermore, direct loans may subject the Fund to liquidity and interest rate risk and certain direct loans may be deemed illiquid. Direct loans are not publicly traded and may not have a secondary market. The lack of a secondary market for direct loans may have an adverse impact on the ability of the Fund to dispose of a direct loan and/or to value the direct loan. When engaging in direct lending, the Fund’s performance may depend, in part, on the ability of the Fund to originate loans on advantageous terms. In originating and purchasing loans, the Fund will compete with a broad spectrum of lenders. Increased competition for, or a diminishment in the available supply of, qualifying loans could result in lower yields on such loans, which could reduce Fund performance. [As part of its lending activities, the Fund may originate loans (including subprime loans) to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings] or that are rated “below investment grade” by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Although the terms of such financing may result in significant financial returns to the Fund, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful financing to companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. Different types of assets may be used as collateral for the Fund’s loans and, accordingly, the valuation of and risks associated with such collateral will vary by loan. There is no assurance that the Fund will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing the Fund’s loans or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a company that the Fund funds, the Fund may lose all or part of the amounts advanced to the borrower or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the loan advanced by the Fund or its affiliates to the borrower. Furthermore, in the event of a default by a borrower, the Fund may have difficulty disposing of the assets used as collateral for a loan. Various state licensing requirements could apply to the Fund with respect investments in, or the origination and servicing of loans and similar assets. The licensing requirements could apply depending on the location of the borrower, the location of the collateral securing the loan, or the location where the Fund or the Adviser operates or has offices. In states in which it is licensed, the Fund or the Adviser will be required to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including consumer protection and anti-fraud laws, which could impose restrictions on the Fund’s or Adviser’s ability to take certain actions to protect the value of its investments in such assets and impose compliance costs. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations could lead to, among other penalties, a loss of the Fund’s or Adviser’s license, which in turn could require the Fund to divest assets located in or secured by real property located in that state. These risks will also apply to issuers and entities in which the Fund invests that hold similar assets, as well as any origination company or servicer in which the Fund owns an interest. If the Fund is required to be licensed in any particular jurisdiction in order to originate, acquire, hold, dispose or foreclose loans, obtaining the required license may not be viable (because, for example, it is not possible or practical) and the Fund may be unable to restructure its holdings to address the licensing requirement. In that case, the Fund may be forced to cease activities involving the affected loans, or may be forced to sell such loans. If a state regulator or court were to determine that the Fund acquired, held or foreclosed a loan without a required state license, the Fund could be subject to penalties or other sanctions, prohibited or restricted in its ability to enforce its rights under the loan, or subject to litigation risk or other losses or damages.

 

MARKET RISK. Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that such markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Securities or other investments may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally or individual issuers. The value of a security or other investment may change in value due to general market conditions that are not related to a particular issuer, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for revenues or corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The value of a security or other investment may also change in value due to factors that affect an individual issuer or a particular sector or industry. During a general downturn in the securities or other markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously. When markets perform well, there can be no assurance that securities or other investments held by the Fund will participate in or otherwise benefit from the advance. Any market disruptions, including those arising out of geopolitical events or natural/environmental disasters, could also prevent the Fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner.

 

The fixed income markets at times have experienced periods of extreme volatility that has negatively impacted a broad range of mortgage- and asset-backed and other fixed income securities, including those rated investment grade, the U.S. and international credit and interbank money markets generally, and a wide range of financial institutions and markets, asset classes and sectors. As a result, fixed income instruments have at times experienced reduced liquidity, increased price volatility, credit downgrades and increased likelihood of default. Domestic and international equity markets have also experienced heightened volatility and turmoil that has particularly affected issuers with exposure to the real estate, mortgage and credit markets. During times of market turmoil, investors tend to look to the safety of securities issued or backed by the U.S. Treasury, causing the prices of these securities to rise, and their yields to decline. These events as well as continuing market upheavals may have an adverse effect on the Fund and may result in increased repurchase requests of Fund shares.

 

In 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) placed Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) into conservatorship. As the conservator, FHFA succeeded to all rights, titles, powers and privileges of FNMA and FHLMC and of any stockholder, officer or director of FNMA and FHLMC with respect to FNMA and FHLMC and the assets of FNMA and FHLMC.

 

Under the Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008 (the “Reform Act”), which was included as part of the

 

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Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, FHFA, as conservator or receiver, has broad authority to promote the orderly administration of FNMA’s and FHLMC’s affairs, including the power to repudiate any contract entered into by FNMA or FHLMC prior to FHFA’s appointment as conservator or receiver, as applicable, and the right to transfer or sell any asset or liability of FNMA or FHLMC without any approval, assignment or consent. Although FHFA has indicated that it has no present intention to repudiate or to transfer any guaranty obligations, holders of FNMA or FHLMC mortgage-backed securities would be adversely affected in the event that the FHFA exercised either of these powers granted to it under the Reform Act. In addition, certain rights provided to holders of mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC under the operative documents related to such securities may not be enforced against FHFA, or enforcement of such rights may be delayed, during the conservatorship or any future receivership. The operative documents for FNMA and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities may provide (or with respect to securities issued prior to the date of the appointment of the conservator may have provided) that upon the occurrence of an event of default on the part of FNMA or FHLMC, in its capacity as guarantor, which includes the appointment of a conservator or receiver, holders of such mortgage-backed securities have the right to replace FNMA or FHLMC as trustee if the requisite percentage of mortgage-backed securities holders consent. The Reform Act prevents mortgage-backed security holders from enforcing such rights if the event of default arises solely because a conservator or receiver has been appointed.

 

In addition, following the global financial crisis, the Fed attempted to stabilize the economy and support the economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate (the interest rate at which depository institutions lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight) at or near zero percent. Although interest rates remain near historic lows, the Fed has taken steps in recent years to raise the federal funds rate and is expected to continue to do so in the near term. In addition, as part of its monetary stimulus program known as quantitative easing, the Fed purchased on the open market large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fed discontinued purchasing securities through its quantitative easing program in 2014 and has since focused on reducing its holdings in such securities. As the Fed continues to reduce its holdings in securities and raises the federal funds rate, there is a risk that interest rates across the financial industry will rise. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities.

 

MID CAP SECURITIES RISK. Mid capitalization securities involve greater risks than those associated with larger, more established companies and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. Securities of such issuers may lack sufficient market liquidity to enable the Fund to effect sales at an advantageous time or without a substantial drop in price. These companies often have narrower markets, more limited operating or business history and more limited managerial or financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio. Generally, the smaller the company’s size, the greater these risks.

 

MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENT STRATEGIES. The Fund may hold cash and invest in money market instruments at any time. The Fund may invest some or all of its assets in cash, high quality money market instruments and shares of money market investment companies for temporary defensive purposes in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions when the adviser or the Fund’s sub-adviser subject to the overall supervision of the adviser, as applicable, deems it appropriate.

 

Money market instruments include, but are not limited to: (1) banker’s acceptances; (2) obligations of governments (whether U.S. or foreign) and their agencies and instrumentalities; (3) short-term corporate obligations, including commercial paper, notes, and bonds; (4) other short-term debt obligations; (5) obligations of U.S. banks, foreign branches of U.S. banks (Eurodollars), U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks (Yankee dollars) and foreign branches of foreign banks; (6) asset-backed securities; and (7) repurchase agreements. The Fund may also invest in registered affiliated and unaffiliated money market funds that invest in money market instruments, as permitted by regulations adopted under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s ability to redeem shares of a money market fund may be impacted by recent regulatory changes relating to money market funds which permit the potential imposition of liquidity fees and redemption gates under certain circumstances.

 

MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES. The mortgage-related securities in which the Fund may invest include interests in pools of mortgage loans made by lenders such as savings and loan institutions, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, various governmental, government-related and private organizations and others. The Fund may also invest in similar mortgage-related securities that provide funds for multi-family residences or commercial real estate properties.

 

Mortgage-related securities are subject to certain specific risks. Generally, rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of fixed rate mortgage-backed securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, if the Fund holds mortgage-backed securities, it may exhibit additional volatility. This is known as “extension risk.” In addition, adjustable and fixed rate mortgage-backed securities are subject to “prepayment risk.” When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Fund because the Fund may have to reinvest that money at lower prevailing interest rates. Mortgage-related securities are also subject to the risk that the underlying loans may not be repaid. The value of mortgage-related securities can also be significantly affected by the market’s perception of the issuers and the creditworthiness of the parties involved.

 

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The yield characteristics of mortgage securities differ from those of traditional debt securities. Among the major differences are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently on mortgage securities, usually monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at any time. The risks associated with prepayment and the rate at which prepayment may occur are influenced by a variety of economic, geographic, demographic, social and other factors including interest rate levels, changes in housing needs, net equity built by mortgagors in the mortgaged properties, job transfers and unemployment rates.

 

Mortgage securities differ from conventional bonds in that principal is paid back over the life of the mortgage securities rather than at maturity. As a result, the holder of the mortgage securities (e.g., the Fund) receives monthly scheduled payments of principal and interest, and may receive unscheduled principal payments representing prepayments on the underlying mortgages. When the holder reinvests the payments and any unscheduled prepayments of principal it receives, it may receive a rate of interest which is lower than the rate on the existing mortgage securities. For this reason, mortgage securities are less effective than other types of U.S. Government securities as a means of “locking in” long-term interest rates.

 

FNMA and FHLMC have entered into a joint initiative under the direction of the FHFA to develop a common securitization platform for the issuance of a uniform mortgage-backed security, which generally aligns the characteristics of FNMA and FHLMC certificates (known as the “Single Security Initiative”). The Fund may invest in such securities. The effects that the Single Security Initiative may have on the market for mortgage-backed securities are uncertain.

 

Mortgage-related securities may be composed of one or more classes and may be structured either as pass-through securities or collateralized debt obligations (which include CBOs and CLOs). A CBO is ordinarily issued by a trust or other special purpose entity (“SPE”) and is typically backed by a diversified pool of fixed income securities (which may include high risk, below investment grade securities) held by such issuer. A CLO is ordinarily issued by a trust or other SPE and is typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and non-U.S. senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans, held by such issuer. Multiple-class mortgage-related securities are referred to herein as “CMOs.” Some CMOs are directly supported by other CMOs, which in turn are supported by mortgage pools. Investors typically receive payments out of the interest and principal on the underlying mortgages, which payments and the priority thereof are determined by the specific terms of the CMO class. CMOs may be issued by U.S. or non-U.S. issuers. CMOs involve special risks, and evaluating them requires special knowledge.

 

CMO classes may be specially structured in a manner that provides any of a wide variety of investment characteristics, such as yield, effective maturity and interest rate sensitivity. As market conditions change, however, and particularly during periods of rapid or unanticipated changes in market interest rates, any given CMO structure may react differently from the way anticipated and thus affect the Fund’s portfolio in different, and possibly negative, ways. Market changes may also result in increased volatility in market values and reduced liquidity. CMOs may lack a readily available secondary market and be difficult to sell at the price at which the Fund values them.

 

Certain classes of CMOs and other mortgage-related securities are structured in a manner that makes them extremely sensitive to changes in prepayment rates, such as interest-only (“IO”) and principal-only (“PO”) classes. These securities are frequently referred to as “mortgage derivatives” and may be sensitive to changing interest rates and deteriorating credit environments. IOs are entitled to receive all or a portion of the interest, but none (or only a nominal amount) of the principal payments, from the underlying mortgage assets. If the mortgage assets underlying an IO experience greater than anticipated principal prepayments, then the total amount of interest payments allocable to the IO class, and therefore the yield to investors, generally will be reduced. In some instances, an investor in an IO may fail to recoup all of his or her initial investment, even if the security is government issued or guaranteed or rated AAA or the equivalent. Conversely, PO classes are entitled to receive all or a portion of the principal payments, but none of the interest, from the underlying mortgage assets. PO classes are purchased at substantial discounts from par, and the yield to investors will be reduced if principal payments are slower than expected. Inverse floating rate CMOs, which pay interest at a rate that decreases when a specified index of market rates increases (and vice versa), also may be extremely volatile. If the Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities that are “subordinated” to other interests in the same mortgage pool, the Fund may only receive payments after the pool’s obligations to other investors have been satisfied. For example, an unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may limit substantially the pool’s ability to make payments of principal or interest to holders of the securities, which would thus reduce the values of the securities or in some cases render them worthless. The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities issued by the U.S. Government. See “U.S. Government Securities Risk” below. To the extent the Fund invests in mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers, such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers, the Fund may be subject to additional risks. Mortgage-related securities issued by private issuers are subject to the credit risks of the issuers, as well as to interest rate risks. Timely payment of interest and principal of non-governmental issuers are supported by various forms of private insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance purchased by the issuer. There can be no assurance that the private insurers can meet their obligations under the policies. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may adversely affect the value of a mortgage-backed security and could result in losses to the Fund. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include subprime mortgages. Subprime mortgages refer to loans made to borrowers with weakened credit histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their mortgages.

 

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Issuers of certain CMOs may have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying assets, and credit enhancements provided to support the securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of default. In addition, as a result of its investment in asset-backed securities, the Fund would be subject to the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities. Certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults.

 

Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Fund may also invest in uniform mortgage-backed securities issued pursuant to the Single Security Initiative, a joint undertaking by FNMA and FHLMC under the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to develop a common securitization platform. The Single Security Initiative launched in June 2019.

 

Residential Loans and Mortgages Risk. The Fund may acquire residential loans and mortgages (including through participations, assignments and whole loans) from third-party mortgage originators. In addition to interest rate, default and other risks of fixed income securities, residential loans and mortgages carry additional risks, including the possibility that the quality of the collateral may decline in value and the potential for the liquidity of residential loans and mortgages to vary over time. In addition, in the event that a loan is foreclosed on, the Fund could become the owner (in whole or in part) of any collateral, which may include, among other things, real estate or other real or personal property, and the Fund would bear the costs and liabilities of owning, holding or disposing of such property.

 

The Fund may also experience difficulty disposing of loans, which do not trade in a liquid market and typically can only be sold to a limited universe of institutional investors. The absence of a liquid market for these instruments could adversely impact their value and may inhibit the Fund’s ability to dispose of them at times when it would be desirable to do so, including in response to particular economic events, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. Because they do not trade in a liquid market residential loans may also be difficult for the Fund to value.

 

Investing in loans may subject the Fund to greater levels of credit risk, call risk, settlement risk and liquidity risk than other types of fixed income instruments. Transactions involving loans may also involve greater costs than transactions involving more actively traded securities. In addition, a number of factors, including restrictions on transfers, irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods may make it more difficult for the Fund to acquire, dispose of or accurately price such instruments compared with other types of investments. As a result, the Fund may not be able to realize the full value for loans and there may be extended delays in the Fund’s receipt of proceeds from the sale of a loan, which could adversely impact the Fund’s performance. Because transactions in many loans are subject to extended trade settlement periods, proceeds from the sale of a loan may not be immediately available to the Fund. As a result, proceeds related to the sale of loans may not be available to make additional investments or to meet the Fund’s share repurchase obligations for a period after the sale of the loans, and, as a result, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations.

 

When acquiring residential loans, the Fund generally relies on third-party mortgage originators to originate mortgage loans that comply with applicable law. All mortgage loan originators and brokers are subject to strict and evolving consumer protection laws and other legal obligations with respect to the origination of residential mortgage loans. These laws may be highly subjective and open to interpretation and, as a result, a regulator or court may determine that that there has been a violation where an originator or servicer of mortgage loans reasonably believed that the law or requirement had been satisfied. Failure or alleged failure of originators or servicers to comply with these laws and regulations could subject the Fund, as an assignee or purchaser of these loans or securities backed by these loans, to, among other things, delays in foreclosure proceedings, increased litigation expenses, monetary penalties and defenses to foreclosure, including by recoupment or setoff of finance charges and fees collected, and in some cases could also result in rescission of the affected residential mortgage loans, which could adversely impact the Fund’s business and financial results. While some of these laws may not explicitly hold the Fund responsible for the legal violations of these third parties, federal and state agencies and private litigants have increasingly sought to impose such liability. Various regulators and plaintiffs’ lawyers have also sought to hold assignees of mortgage loans liable for the alleged violations of the originating lender under theories of express or implied assignee liability. Accordingly, the Fund may be subject to fines, penalties or civil liability based upon the conduct of the mortgage lenders that originated the mortgage loans the Fund holds.

 

Despite the Fund’s efforts to manage credit risk related to the residential mortgage loans the Fund acquires, there are many aspects of credit risk that the Fund cannot control. The Fund’s due diligence process may not be effective at preventing or limiting compliance violations or borrower delinquencies and defaults, and the loan servicing companies that service the mortgage loans may not comply with applicable servicing regulations or investor requirements. Prior to acquiring loans, the Fund will perform due diligence and the Fund will rely on resources and data available to it from the seller, which may be limited. The Fund’s due diligence efforts may not detect matters that could lead to losses. If the Fund’s due diligence processes are not adequate, and the Fund fails to detect certain loan defects or compliance issues related to origination, the Fund may incur losses. The Fund could also incur losses if a counterparty that sold the Fund a loan is unwilling or unable (e.g., due to its financial condition) to repurchase that loan or asset or pay damages to the Fund if the Fund determines subsequent to purchase that one or more of the representations or warranties made to the Fund in connection with the sale was inaccurate. There may be less readily available information about loans and their underlying borrowers than is the case for other types of investments and issuers. In addition, because loans may not be considered “securities,” investors in loans, such as the Fund, may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws, although

 

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they may be entitled to certain contractual remedies.

 

The mortgage loans that the Fund purchases, and in which the Fund directly and indirectly invests through RMBS, CMBS or other investments, may be concentrated in a specific state or states. Weak economic conditions in these locations or any other location (which may or may not affect real property values), may affect the ability of borrowers to repay their mortgage loans on time. Properties in certain jurisdictions may be more susceptible than homes located in other parts of the country to certain types of uninsurable hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters. Declines in the residential real estate market of a particular jurisdiction may reduce the values of properties located in that jurisdiction, which would result in an increase in the loan-to-value ratios. Any increase in the market value of properties located in a particular jurisdiction would reduce the loan-to-value ratios of the mortgage loans and could, therefore, make alternative sources of financing available to the borrowers at lower interest rates, which could result in an increased rate of prepayment of the mortgage loans.

 

Collateralized Loan Obligations Risk. Collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) bear many of the same risks as other forms of asset-backed securities, including interest rate risk, credit risk and default risk. As they are backed by pools of loans, CLOs also bear similar risks to investing in loans directly. CLOs issue classes or “tranches” that vary in risk and yield. CLOs may experience substantial losses attributable to loan defaults. Losses caused by defaults on underlying assets are borne first by the holders of subordinate tranches. The Fund’s investment in CLOs may decrease in market value when the CLO experiences loan defaults or credit impairment, the disappearance of a subordinate tranche, or market anticipation of defaults and investor aversion to CLO securities as a class.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. A CMO is a multi-class bond backed by a pool of mortgage pass-through certificates or mortgage loans. CMOs may be collateralized by (i) GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC pass-through certificates; (ii) unsecuritized mortgage loans insured by the FHA or guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs; (iii) unsecuritized conventional mortgages; (iv) other MBS; or (v) any combination thereof. Each class of a CMO, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on collateral underlying a CMO may cause it to be retired substantially earlier than its stated maturity or final distribution date. The principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among the several classes of a series of a CMO in many ways. One or more tranches of a CMO may have coupon rates that reset periodically at a specified increment over an index, such as LIBOR (or sometimes more than one index). These floating rate CMOs typically are issued with lifetime caps on the coupon rate thereon. The Fund does not intend to invest in CMO residuals, which represent the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the payments of interest and principal on the tranches issued by the CMO and the payment of administrative expenses and management fees.

 

Commercial Mortgage Loans Risk - The Fund may invest in loans or other investments secured by real estate (other than mortgage-backed securities) and may, as a result of default, foreclosure or otherwise, take possession of and hold real estate as a direct owner. Each of these types of investments are subject, directly or indirectly, to risks associated with ownership of real estate, including changes in the general economic climate or local conditions (such as an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand for space), loss to casualty or condemnation, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, zoning law amendments, changes in interest rates, overbuilding and increased competition, including competition based on rental rates, variations in market value, changes in the financial condition of tenants, changes in operating costs, attractiveness and location of the properties, adverse changes in the real estate markets generally or in specific sectors of the real estate industry and possible environmental liabilities. Real estate-related investments may entail leverage and may be highly volatile. Purchasers of loans and other forms of direct indebtedness depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest. If the Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments on such indebtedness, the Fund’s share price and yield could be adversely affected. Loans that are fully secured offer the Fund more protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured loan would satisfy the corporate borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. In the event of the bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations in its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a loan. Private loans are generally illiquid and the Fund may not be able to sell the investments for their market value in a reasonable time or at all. The availability of commercial mortgage loans may at times be limited and Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. (“SIMNA”) and/or the service providers upon whom SIMNA relies to help source the loans, may be unable to find a sufficient number of attractive opportunities in which to invest which may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. The activity of identifying, completing and realizing attractive investments is highly competitive and involves a high degree of uncertainty. The Fund competes for commercial mortgage loan investments with real estate investment vehicles, as well as individuals, publicly-traded mortgage REITs, CMBS issuers, financial institutions (such as mortgage banks, insurance companies and pension funds) and other institutional investors. Additional funds and REITs and other vehicles with similar investment objectives to the Fund may be formed in the future by other unrelated parties. The success of the Fund in locating good commercial mortgage loan investment opportunities depends on the ability of SIMNA, together with the service providers upon whom SIMNA relies to help source the loans, to source investment opportunities for the Fund, to identify suitable investments and to negotiate and arrange the closing of appropriate transactions. Consistent with customary industry practice, fees associated with the sourcing of loans acquired by the Fund through the use of service providers (whether third parties or strategic partners) will be

 

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deducted from the loan interest payments made by borrowers prior to those interest payments being remitted to the Fund. As such, the Fund will bear such fees, and such fees are excluded from the Fund’s expense limitation arrangements. Although such fees may vary from service provider to service provider due to a number of factors, including the nature of the loan type (e.g., senior first mortgage loans, B-notes, mezzanine loans, bridge loans or single-family rental loans), the principal balance and the length of such loans, such fees may range from approximately 0.05% to 0.25% annually on the then current principal balance of each such loan until maturity. Further, there may be a limited number of service providers upon which SIMNA relies (e.g., with respect to loan sourcing and/or loan servicing). To the extent such service providers experience economic, reputational or other hardships, or otherwise have competing responsibilities, and SIMNA is unable or unwilling to engage replacement or complementary service providers (e.g., if such service providers are affiliated with SIMNA), the Fund’s performance may be adversely impacted. There can be no assurance that such service providers will be available for any length of time, or will be effective in providing services to the Fund, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Fund’s performance.

 

MUNICIPAL SECURITIES. Municipal securities primarily include debt obligations that are issued by or on behalf of the District of Columbia, states, territories, commonwealths and possessions of the United States and their political subdivisions (e.g., cities, towns, counties, school districts, authorities and commissions) and agencies, authorities and instrumentalities, which are issued to obtain funds for public purposes, including the construction or improvement of a range of public facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, hospitals, housing, jails, mass transportation, nursing homes, parks, public buildings, recreational facilities, school facilities, streets and water and sewer works. Municipal securities may also be issued for other public purposes such as the refunding of outstanding obligations, the anticipation of taxes or state aids, the payment of judgments, the funding of student loans, community redevelopment, district heating, the purchase of street maintenance and firefighting equipment or any authorized corporate purpose of the issuer, except for the payment of current expenses. Certain types of industrial development (or private activity) bonds may be issued by or on behalf of public corporations to finance privately operated housing facilities, air or water pollution control facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas, electricity or sewage or solid waste disposal. In addition, structured securities, such as tobacco bonds, may be issued by municipal entities to securitize future payment streams. Such obligations are included within the term municipal securities if the interest payable thereon is, in the opinion of bond counsel, exempt from federal income taxation (but, note that municipal securities may include securities that pay interest income subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax).

 

The two principal classifications of municipal securities are general obligation bonds and limited obligation (or revenue) bonds. General obligation bonds are obligations payable from the issuer’s general unrestricted revenues and not from any particular fund or revenue source. The characteristics and methods of enforcement of general obligation bonds vary according to the laws applicable to the particular issuer. Limited obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a specific revenue source, such as the user of the facility. Industrial development bonds are in most cases limited obligation bonds payable solely from specific revenues, pledged to payment of the bonds, of the project to be financed. The credit quality of industrial development bonds is usually directly related to the credit standing of the user of the facilities (or the credit standing of a third-party guarantor or other credit enhancement participant, if any). There are, of course, variations in the quality of municipal securities, both within a particular classification and between classifications, depending on various factors (see Appendix A of this SAI). The yields on municipal securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including general money market conditions, the financial condition of the issuer, general conditions of the municipal securities market, the size of the particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. The ratings of the various rating agencies represent their opinions as to the quality of the municipal securities which they undertake to rate.  However, the ratings are general, not absolute, standards of quality.  Consequently, municipal securities of the same maturity, interest rate and rating may have different yields, while municipal securities of the same maturity and interest rate with different ratings may have the same yield.

 

Municipal securities risks include the possibility that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or repay principal when due; the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities; and the possibility of future legislative changes that could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. Municipal securities are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. Because municipal securities are issued to finance similar projects, conditions in those sectors may affect the overall municipal securities market. In addition, changes in the financial condition of an individual municipal issuer can affect the overall municipal market.

 

In addition to these risks, investment in municipal securities is also subject to:

 

·General Obligation Bonds Risk – The full faith, credit and taxing power of the municipality that issues a general obligation bond secures payment of interest and repayment of principal. Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base.

 

·Revenue (or Limited Obligation) Bonds Risk – Payments of interest and principal on revenue bonds are made only from the revenues generated by a particular facility, class of facilities or the proceeds of a special tax or other revenue source. These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source.

 

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·Private Activity (or Industrial Development) Bonds Risk – Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its full faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. If the private enterprise defaults on its payments, the Fund may not receive any income or get its money back from the investment.

 

·Moral Obligation Bonds Risk – Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality.

 

·Municipal Notes Risk – Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. They may provide interim financing in anticipation of, and are secured by, tax collection, bond sales or revenue receipts. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money.

 

·Municipal Bankruptcy Risk – The City of Detroit filed for federal bankruptcy protection on July 18, 2013. The bankruptcy of large cities such as Detroit is relatively rare, making the consequences of such bankruptcy filings difficult to predict. Accordingly, it is unclear what impact a large city’s bankruptcy filing would have on the city’s outstanding obligations or on the obligations of other municipal issuers in that state. It is possible that the city could default on, restructure or otherwise avoid some or all of these obligations, which may negatively affect the marketability, liquidity and value of securities issued by the city and other municipalities in that state. If the Fund holds securities that are affected by a city’s bankruptcy filing, the Fund’s investments in those securities may lose value, which could cause the Fund’s performance to decline.

 

·Municipal Lease Obligations Risks – In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. The issuer will generally appropriate municipal funds for that purpose, but is not obligated to do so. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. However, if the issuer does not fulfill its payment obligation (i.e., annually appropriate money to make the lease payments) it may be difficult to sell the property and the proceeds of a sale may not cover the Fund’s loss.

 

·Tax-Exempt Status Risk – Municipal securities are subject to the risk that the IRS may determine that an issuer has not complied with applicable tax requirements and that interest from the municipal security is taxable, which may result in a significant decline in the value of the security.

 

·Investment in Bonds Issued by Puerto Rico. As with state municipal securities, events in any of the territories, such as Puerto Rico, where the Fund may invest may affect the Fund’s investments and its performance. Certain municipal issuers in Puerto Rico have experienced and continue to experience significant financial difficulties. In February 2014, credit rating firms Standard & Poor’s, Fitch Ratings, and Moody’s Investors Service downgraded their respective ratings of Puerto Rico’s general obligation debt to below investment grade, along with the ratings of certain related Puerto Rico issuers. As of February 4, 2014, S&P rated Puerto Rico’s general obligation debt at BB+, with a negative outlook. As of February 7, 2014, Moody’s rated the island’s general obligation debt Ba2 with a negative outlook and Fitch rated the commonwealth at BB with a negative outlook as of February 11, 2014. Holdings rated below investment grade may fluctuate more in value, be harder to sell and value, and be subject to greater credit risk than investment grade securities. The February 2014 downgrades and any further downgrades could create additional strain on a commonwealth already facing economic stagnation and fiscal imbalances, including budget deficits, underfunded pensions, high unemployment, significant debt service obligations, and liquidity issues, and could potentially lead to less market demand, less liquidity, wider spreads, and lower prices for Puerto Rico municipal securities. Puerto Rico’s continued financial difficulties could reduce its ability to access financial markets, potentially increasing the likelihood of a restructuring or default for Puerto Rico municipal securities that may affect the Fund’s investments and its performance.

 

For the purpose of diversification under the 1940 Act, identifying the issuer of a municipal security depends on the terms of the security. If a state or a political subdivision of such state pledges its full faith and credit to payment of a security, the state or the political subdivision will be deemed the sole issuer of the security. If the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of an agency, authority or instrumentality of the state or a political subdivision, but not by the state or political subdivision itself, such agency, authority or instrumentality will be deemed to be the sole issuer. Similarly, if the security is backed only by revenues of an enterprise or specific projects of the state, a political subdivision or agency, authority or instrumentality (e.g., utility revenue bonds), and the full faith and credit of the governmental unit is not pledged to the payment thereof, such enterprise or projects will be deemed the sole issuer. In the case of an industrial development bond, if the bond is backed only by certain revenues to be received from the non-governmental user of the project financed by the bond, such non-governmental user will be deemed to be the sole issuer. If, however, in any of the above cases, the state, the political subdivision or some other entity guarantees a security, and the value of all securities issued or guaranteed by the guarantor and owned by the Fund exceeds 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets, the guarantee will be considered a separate security and will be treated as an issue of the guarantor.

 

Municipal bonds are traded in the “over-the-counter” market among dealers and other large institutional investors, which,

 

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together with the broader fixed-income markets, began in the latter months of 2008 to experience increased volatility and decreased liquidity in response to challenging economic conditions and credit tightening. If market liquidity decreases, the Fund may not be able to sell bonds readily at prices reflecting the values at which the bonds are carried on the Fund’s books. An imbalance in supply and demand in the municipal market may result in valuation uncertainties and greater volatility, less liquidity, widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency in the market.

 

NEW FUND RISK. The Fund is a new fund which may result in additional risk. There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to an economically viable size, in which case the Fund may cease operations. In such an event, investors may be required to liquidate or transfer their investments at an inopportune time.

 

Non-Listed Closed-end Interval Fund; Liquidity Risks. The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company operating as an “interval fund” and designed primarily for long-term investors. Closed-end funds differ from open-end management investment companies (commonly known as mutual funds) because investors in a closed-end fund do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis. Unlike most closed-end funds, which typically list their shares on a securities exchange, the Fund does not currently intend to list the Shares for trading on any securities exchange, and the Fund does not expect any secondary market will develop for the Shares in the foreseeable future. Therefore, an investment in the Fund, unlike an investment in a typical closed-end fund, is not a liquid investment. The Fund is not intended to be a typical traded investment. Although the Fund, as a fundamental policy, will make quarterly offers to repurchase at least 5% and up to 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV, the number of Shares tendered in connection with a repurchase offer may exceed the number of Shares the Fund has offered to repurchase, in which case not all of your Shares tendered in that offer will be repurchased. In connection with any given repurchase offer, it is possible that the Fund may offer to repurchase only the minimum amount of 5% of its outstanding Shares. Hence, you may not be able to sell your Shares when or in the amount that you desire.

 

OPERATIONAL RISKS. An investment in the Fund, like any fund, can involve operational risks arising from factors such as processing errors, inadequate or failed processes, failure in systems and technology, changes in personnel and errors caused by third-party service providers. Among other things, these errors or failures as well as other technological issues may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to calculate their net asset values in a timely manner, including over a potentially extended period. While the Fund seeks to minimize such events through controls and oversight, there may still be failures that could causes losses to the Fund. In addition, as the use of technology increases, the Fund may be more susceptible to operational risks through breaches in cybersecurity. A breach in cybersecurity refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, or operational capacity. As a result, the Fund may incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs associated with corrected measures and/or financial loss. In addition, cybersecurity breaches of the Fund’s third-party service providers or issuers in which the Fund invests may also subject the Fund to many of the same risks associated with direct cybersecurity breaches. In addition, the Fund may rely on various third-party sources to calculate its net asset value. As a result, the Fund is subject to certain operational risks associated with reliance on service providers and service providers’ data sources. In particular, errors or system failures and other technological issues may adversely impact the Fund’s calculation of its net asset value, and such net asset value calculation issues may result in inaccurately calculated net asset values, delays in net asset value calculation, and/or the inability to calculate net asset value over extended periods. The Fund may be unable to recover any losses associated with such failures.

 

OTHER CAPITAL SECURITIES. Other capital securities encompass a group of instruments referred to in capital markets as “Hybrids,” “Tier I and Tier 2” and “TRUPS.” These securities give issuers flexibility in managing their capital structure. The features associated with these securities are predominately debt like in that they have coupons, pay interest and in most cases have a final stated maturity. There are certain features that give the companies flexibility not commonly found in fixed income securities, which include, but are not limited to, deferral of interest payments under certain conditions and subordination to debt securities in the event of default. The deferral of interest payments, even for an extended period of time, is generally not an event of default, and the ability of the holders of such instruments to accelerate payment is generally more limited than with other debt securities.

 

OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES. The Fund may invest in other investment companies, such as mutual funds, ETFs, closed end funds and business development companies. The Fund may also invest in investment companies that may not be registered under the 1940 Act, such as holding company depository receipts (“HOLDRs”). Securities in certain countries are currently accessible to the Fund only through such investments.

 

These investments are subject to limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder and applicable SEC staff interpretations thereof, or applicable exemptive relief granted by the SEC. Generally, the Fund will not purchase securities of an investment company if, as a result: (1) more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of other investment companies; (2) such purchase would result in more than 3% of the total outstanding voting securities of any such investment company being held by the Fund; or (3) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in any one such investment company. Many ETFs have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit unaffiliated funds sponsored by other fund families to invest in the ETF’s shares beyond the above statutory limitations, subject to certain conditions and pursuant to a contractual arrangement between the ETFs and the investing fund. The Fund and the funds of funds may rely on these exemptive orders to invest in ETFs.

 

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Investments in ETFs and listed closed-end funds are subject to the additional risk that shares of the ETF or closed-end fund may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value per share. There may also not be an active trading market available for shares of some ETFs or closed-end funds. Additionally, trading of ETF and closed-end fund shares may be halted and ETF and closed-end fund shares may be delisted by the listing exchange. In addition, the Fund pays brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of shares of ETF and closed-end funds. ETFs and closed-end funds are also subject to specific risks depending on the nature of the ETF or closed-end fund, such as liquidity risk, sector risk, and foreign and emerging markets risk, as well as risks associated with fixed income securities, real estate investments and commodities. Closed-end funds may utilize more leverage than other types of investment companies. They can utilize leverage by issuing preferred stocks or debt securities to raise additional capital which can, in turn, be used to buy more securities and leverage its portfolio. A business development company (“BDC”), which is a type of closed-end fund, typically invests in small and medium-sized U.S. companies. A BDC’s portfolio is subject to the risks inherent in investing in smaller companies, including that portfolio companies may be dependent on a small number of products or services and may be more adversely affected by poor economic or market conditions. Some BDCs invest substantially, or even exclusively, in one sector or industry group and therefore the BDC may be susceptible to adverse conditions and economic or regulatory occurrences affecting the sector or industry group, which tends to increase volatility and result in higher risk. The Small Business Credit Availability Act, which was signed into law in March 2018, permits BDCs to adopt a lower asset coverage ratio, thereby enhancing their ability to use leverage. Investments in BDCs that use greater leverage may be subject to heightened risks.

 

The Fund will indirectly bear a pro rata share of fees and expenses incurred by any investment companies in which the Fund is invested. The Fund’s pro rata portion of the cumulative expenses charged by the investment companies is calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s average net assets. The pro rata portion of the cumulative expenses may be higher or lower depending on the allocation of the Fund’s assets among the investment companies and the actual expenses of the investment companies. BDC expenses are similar to the expenses paid by any operating company held by the Fund. They are not direct costs paid by Fund shareholders and are not used to calculate the Fund’s net asset value. They have no impact on the costs associated with Fund operations.

 

PREFERRED STOCK RISK. The prices and yields of nonconvertible preferred stocks generally move with changes in interest rates and the issuer’s credit quality, similar to debt securities. The value of convertible preferred stocks varies in response to many factors, including, for example, the value of the underlying equity securities, general market and economic conditions and convertible market valuations, as well as changes in interest rates, credit spreads and the credit quality of the issuer.

 

PRIVATE PLACEMENT RISK. Investments in private placements are generally considered to be illiquid. Privately placed securities may be difficult to sell promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby cause the Fund difficulty in satisfying repurchase requests. In addition, less information may be available about companies that make private placements than about publicly offered companies and such companies may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. Privately placed securities are typically fair valued and generally have no secondary trading market; therefore, such investments may be more difficult to value than publicly traded securities. Difficulty in valuing a private placement may make it difficult to accurately determine the Fund’s exposure to private placement investments, which could cause the Fund to invest to a greater extent than permitted in illiquid investments and subject the Fund to increased risks. Private placement investments may subject the Fund to contingent liabilities in the event a private issuer is acquired by another company during the period it is held by the Fund. Private placement investments may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses. These factors may have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance.

 

Some privately placed companies in which the Fund may invest may be operating at a loss or with substantial variations in operating results from period to period and may need substantial additional capital to support expansion or to achieve or maintain competitive positions. Such companies may face intense competition, including competition from companies with much greater financial resources, much more extensive development, production, marketing and service capabilities and a much larger number of qualified managerial and technical personnel. There is no assurance that the marketing efforts of any particular company will be successful or that its business will succeed. In addition, timely or accurate information may at times not be readily available about the business, financial condition and results of operations of the privately held companies in which the Fund invests. Private debt investments also are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk and duration risk.

 

Private Investments in Public Equity (PIPES). PIPEs are equity securities issued in a private placement by companies that have outstanding, publicly traded equity securities of the same class. Shares in PIPEs generally are not registered with the SEC until after a certain time period from the date the private sale is completed. PIPE transactions will generally result in the Fund acquiring either restricted stock or an instrument convertible into restricted stock. As with investments in other types of restricted securities, such an investment may be illiquid. The Fund’s ability to dispose of securities acquired in PIPE transactions may depend upon the registration of such securities for resale. Any number of factors may prevent or delay a proposed registration. Alternatively, it may be possible for securities acquired in a PIPE transaction to be resold in transactions exempt from registration in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), or otherwise under the federal securities laws. There is no guarantee, however, that an active trading market for the securities will exist at the time of disposition of the securities, and the lack of such a market could hurt the market value of the Fund’s investments. As a result, even if the Fund is able to have securities acquired in a PIPE transaction registered or sell such securities through an exempt transaction, the Fund may not be able to sell all the securities on short notice, and

 

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the sale of the securities could lower the market price of the securities.

 

REAL ESTATE RELATED SECURITIES RISKS. The main risk of real estate related securities is that the value of the underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values, including the general and local economies, vacancy rates, tenant bankruptcies, the ability to re-lease space under expiring leases on attractive terms, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning and tax laws) affecting real estate and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgages and changes in interest rates, a decline in rents resulting from unanticipated economic, legal or technological developments or a decline in the price of securities of real estate companies due to a failure of borrowers to pay their loans or poor management may also affect real estate values. Further, the real estate industry is particularly sensitive to economic downturns. When economic growth is slow, demand for property decreases and prices may decline. If the Fund’s real estate related investments are concentrated in one geographic area or in one property type, the Fund will be particularly subject to the risks associated with that area or property type.

 

In addition to the risks facing real estate related securities, such as a decline in property values due to increasing vacancies, a decline in rents resulting from unanticipated economic, legal or technological developments or a decline in the price of securities of real estate companies due to a failure of borrowers to pay their loans or poor management, investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) , which pool investor money to invest in real estate and real estate related holdings, involve unique risks. Like registered investment companies such as the Fund, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders so long as they comply with several requirements of the Code. Investing in REITs involves certain risks.  REITS may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume and may be more volatile than other securities. REITs are also subject to additional risks, such as poor performance by the manager of the REIT, adverse changes to the tax laws or failure by the REIT to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code, the risks of financing projects, heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers, and self-liquidation.  In addition, some REITs have limited diversification because they invest in a limited number of properties, a narrow geographic area or a single type of property. A REIT may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by such REIT or by the quality of any credit extended by the REIT.  Also, the organizational documents of a REIT may contain provisions that make changes in control of the REIT difficult and time-consuming. Because REITs are pooled investment vehicles that have expenses of their own, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of those expenses. REITS are also subject to interest rate risks.

 

REPURCHASE AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. A repurchase agreement is an agreement between two parties whereby one party sells the other a security at a specified price with a commitment to repurchase the security later at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. A reverse repurchase agreement is a term used to describe the opposite side of a repurchase transaction and represents a form of borrowing. The party that purchases and later resells a security is said to perform a repurchase; the other party, that sells and later repurchases a security is said to perform a reverse repurchase. The Fund is permitted to enter into fully collateralized repurchase agreements. The Fund’s Board of Trustees has delegated to the sub-adviser the responsibility of evaluating the creditworthiness of the banks and securities dealers with which the Fund will engage in repurchase agreements. The sub-adviser will monitor such transactions to ensure that the value of underlying collateral will be at least equal to the total amount of the repurchase obligation as required by the valuation provision of the repurchase agreement, including the accrued interest.  Repurchase agreements carry the risk that the market value of the securities declines below the repurchase price. The Fund could also lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of any collateral held or assets segregated by the Fund to cover the transaction is less than the value of the securities. In the event the borrower commences bankruptcy proceedings, a court may characterize the transaction as a loan.  If the Fund has not perfected a security interest in the underlying collateral, the Fund may be required to return the underlying collateral to the borrower’s estate and be treated as an unsecured creditor.  As an unsecured creditor, the Fund could lose some or all of the principal and interest involved in the transaction.  The use of reverse repurchase agreements may increase the possibility of fluctuation in the Fund’s net asset value.

 

Repurchase Offers Risks. As described under “Share Repurchase Program” in the Prospectus, the Fund is an “interval fund” and, in order to provide liquidity to Shareholders, makes quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Fund’s Shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, the repurchase of Shares by the Fund decreases the assets of the Fund and, therefore, may have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio. Repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may also affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments, which may harm the Fund’s investment performance. Moreover, diminution in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objective. If the Fund uses leverage, repurchases of Shares may compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows money to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect Shareholders who do not tender their Shares by increasing Fund expenses and reducing any net investment income. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed and the Fund determines not to repurchase additional Shares beyond the repurchase offer amount, or if Shareholders tender an amount of Shares greater than that which the Fund is entitled to purchase, the Fund will repurchase the Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and Shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. Shareholders will be subject to the risk of NAV

 

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fluctuations during that period. Thus, there is also a risk that some Shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. The NAV of Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may fluctuate between the date a Shareholder submits a repurchase request and the Repurchase Request Deadline, and to the extent there is any delay between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the Repurchase Pricing Date. The NAV on the Repurchase Request Deadline or the Repurchase Pricing Date may be higher or lower than on the date a Shareholder submits a repurchase request. See “Share Repurchase Program” in the Prospectus.

 

The Fund may postpone or suspend Repurchase Offers. A postponement or suspension may occur only if approved by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Fund or your financial intermediary will send you a notice if there is a suspension or postponement of a Repurchase Offer and if a Repurchase Offer is renewed after a suspension or postponement. A suspension or postponement may be done only in limited circumstances. These circumstances include the following:

 

·The repurchase of Shares would cause the Fund to lose its status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

·During an emergency that makes it impractical for the Fund to dispose of securities it owns or to determine the NAV of the Fund’s Shares.

 

·During other periods that the SEC permits the suspension or postponement of offers by the Fund for the protection of its shareholders.

 

·During any period in which the New York Stock Exchange or any other market on which the Fund’s portfolio securities are traded is closed (other than customary weekend or holiday closings) or trading in those markets is restricted.

 

RESTRICTED SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in securities that are not registered under the Securities Act (“restricted securities”). Restricted securities may be sold in private placement transactions between issuers and their purchasers and may be neither listed on an exchange nor traded in other established markets. In many cases, privately placed securities may not be freely transferable under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction or due to contractual restrictions on resale. As a result of the absence of a public trading market, privately placed securities may be less liquid and more difficult to value than publicly traded securities. To the extent that privately placed securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from the sales, due to illiquidity, could be less than those originally paid by the Fund or less than their fair market value. In addition, issuers whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that may be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. If any privately placed securities held by the Fund are required to be registered under the securities laws of one or more jurisdictions before being resold, the Fund may be required to bear the expenses of registration. Certain of the Fund’s investments in private placements may consist of direct investments and may include investments in smaller, less seasoned issuers, which may involve greater risks. These issuers may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or they may be dependent on a limited management group. In making investments in such securities, the Fund may obtain access to material nonpublic information, which may restrict the Fund’s ability to conduct portfolio transactions in such securities.

 

Some of these securities are new and complex, and trade only among institutions; the markets for these securities are still developing, and may not function as efficiently as established markets. Owning a large percentage of restricted securities could hamper the Fund’s ability to raise cash to meet repurchase requests. Also, because there may not be an established market price for these securities, the Fund may have to estimate their value, which means that their valuation (and, to a much smaller extent, the valuation of the Fund) may have a subjective element. Transactions in restricted securities may entail registration expense and other transaction costs that are higher than those for transactions in unrestricted securities. Where registration is required for restricted securities a considerable time period may elapse between the time the Fund decides to sell the security and the time it is actually permitted to sell the security under an effective registration statement. If during such period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain less favorable pricing terms that when it decided to sell the security. The Fund may purchase securities that may have restrictions on transfer or resale (including Rule 144A securities and Regulation S securities). “Rule 144A” securities (or equivalent securities issued pursuant to Regulation S of the Securities Act) are privately placed, restricted securities that may only be resold under certain circumstances to other qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A investments are subject to certain additional risks compared to publicly traded securities. If there are not enough qualified buyers interested in purchasing Rule 144A securities when the Fund wishes to sell such securities, the Fund may be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at reasonable prices. For this reason, although 144A securities are generally considered to be liquid, the Fund’s holdings in Rule 144A securities may adversely affect the Fund’s overall liquidity if qualified buyers become uninterested in buying them at a particular time. Issuers of Rule 144A securities are required to furnish information to potential investors upon request. However, the required disclosure is much less extensive than that required of public companies and is not publicly available. Further, issuers of Rule 144A securities can require recipients of the information to agree contractually to keep the information confidential, which could also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to dispose of a security.

 

Depending upon the circumstances, the Fund may only be able to sell these securities in the United States if an exemption from registration under the federal and state securities laws is available or may only be able to sell these securities outside of the United States (such as on a foreign exchange). These securities may either be determined to be liquid or illiquid pursuant to policies and guidelines established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. See also “Private Placement Risk” above.

 

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SECURITIES TRUSTS. The Fund may invest in securities trusts, which are investment trust vehicles that maintain portfolios comprised of underlying debt securities that are generally unsecured. These instruments are purchased in the cash markets and vary as to the type of underlying security, but include such underlying securities as corporate investment grade and high yield bonds and credit default swaps. Examples include TRAINS, TRACERS, CORE and funded CDX. Holders of interests in these structured notes receive income from the trusts in respect of principal or interest paid on the underlying securities. By investing in such notes, the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by such notes in addition to the expenses of such Fund.

 

Investments in these types of structured products are subject to the same risks that would be associated with direct investments in the underlying securities of the structured notes. These risks include substantial market price volatility resulting from changes in prevailing interest rates; default or bankruptcy of issuers of the underlying securities; subordination to the prior claims of banks and other senior lenders in the case of default; and early repayment by issuers during periods of declining interest rates because of mandatory call or redemption provisions. In addition, structured note products may have difficulty disposing of the underlying securities because of thin trading markets.

 

SHORT SALES RISK. The Fund may make short sales of securities, either as a hedge against potential declines in the value of a security or to realize appreciation when a security the Fund does not own declines in value. When the Fund engages in a short sale it sells a security it does not own at the then-current market price and then borrows the security (typically from a broker or other institution)to deliver to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to buy the security on a later date so it can return the security to the lender (that is, it “covers” the short sale). While the Fund is borrowing the security, it will generally pay a fee to the lending broker and reimburse the broker for any dividends or other income paid on the security. Short sales, therefore, involve the risk that the Fund will incur a loss if it must buy a security at a higher price than the price at which the Fund sold the security short. The Fund may not always be able to borrow the security at a particular time or at an acceptable price, which may make it difficult or impossible for the Fund to effect its investment strategy.

 

The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. As such, if the Fund makes short sales in securities that increase in value, it will likely underperform similar funds that do not make short sales in securities. The Fund would realize a gain on a short sale if the security declines in price between the date of the short sale and the date the Fund replaces the security. Further, the amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of the premium, dividends, interest or expenses the Fund may be required to pay to the lender in connection with the short sale. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out a short sale position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is limited only by the maximum attainable price of the security, less the price at which the security was sold and thus, could be unlimited. In certain cases, purchasing a security to cover a short position can itself cause the price of the security to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss.

 

Until the Fund replaces a security sold short, it is required to maintain a segregated account of cash or liquid assets to cover its short position. Securities held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position they are covering is outstanding, unless they are replaced with similar securities. The Fund must also maintain sufficient liquid assets (less any additional collateral held by the broker/lender) to cover the short sale obligation. This may limit the Fund’s investment flexibility and its ability to meet repurchase requests or other current obligations.

 

The Fund may take a short position in a security at the same time that other accounts managed by the Fund’s sub-adviser take a long position in the same security, or take a long position in a security at the same time that other accounts managed by the Fund’s sub-adviser take a short position in the same security. In addition, the Fund may from time to time take a long or short position in a particular equity security while simultaneously taking the opposite position with respect to an ETF that includes such particular equity security as a constituent. ETFs are baskets of securities that, like stocks, trade on exchanges such as the NYSE MKT LLC and the New York Stock Exchange. These and other transactions undertaken on behalf of other accounts managed by the Fund’s sub-adviser may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of a particular Fund.

 

Certain regulators in various countries throughout the world, including the United States, may from time to time impose limits or prohibitions on short sales of certain companies (e.g., financial institutions). These prohibitions, which may be temporary, could inhibit the ability of the Fund to sell securities short as part of its investment strategy.

 

The Fund employs a form of leverage when it invests the proceeds it receives from selling securities short. The use of leverage may increase the Fund’s exposure to the investments in its portfolio and magnify any change (positive or negative) in the Fund’s net asset value, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s returns. The Fund’s use of leverage may not be successful and could cause the Fund to underperform the market or other funds. While hedging can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by the Fund or if the cost of the short sale outweighs the benefit of the hedge. Hedging also involves the risk that changes in the value of the short sale will not match those of the holdings being hedged as expected by the Fund, in which case any losses on the holdings being hedged may not be reduced and may be increased. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging strategy will reduce risk or that hedging transactions will be either available or cost effective. The Fund cannot guarantee that the use of leverage will produce a higher return on an investment or that

 

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its leveraging strategy will be successful, and the use of short sales may result in the underperformance of the Fund relative to broad market indices.

 

SMALL CAPITALIZATION SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in equity securities (including securities issued in initial public offerings) of companies with smaller market capitalizations. Because the issuers of small capitalization securities tend to be smaller or less well-established companies, they may have limited product lines, market share or financial resources, may have less historical data with respect to operations and management and may be more dependent on a limited number of key employees. As a result, small capitalization securities are often less marketable than securities of larger or more well-established companies. Historically, small market capitalization securities and securities of recently organized companies are subject to increased price volatility due to: (i) less certain growth prospects; (ii) lower degrees of liquidity in the markets for such securities; (iii) thin trading that could result in the securities being sold at a discount or in small lots over an extended period of time; (iv) limited product lines, markets or financial resources; (v) dependence on a few key management personnel; (vi) increased sensitivity to changes in interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings; (vii) difficulty in obtaining information on smaller capitalization companies as compared with larger capitalization companies; (viii) greater sensitivity to changing economic conditions and increased risk of bankruptcy due to adverse developments or management changes affecting the company; and (ix) greater difficulty borrowing money to continue or expand operations. When the Fund invests in smaller company stocks that might trade infrequently, investors might seek to trade Fund shares based on their knowledge or understanding of the value of those securities (this is sometimes referred to as “price arbitrage”). If such price arbitrage were successful, it might interfere with the efficient management of the Fund’s portfolio and the Fund may be required to sell securities at disadvantageous times or prices to satisfy the liquidity requirements created by that activity. Successful price arbitrage might also dilute the value of Fund shares held by other shareholders.

 

SOVEREIGN DEBT. In addition to the risks associated with investment in debt securities and foreign securities generally, investments in sovereign debt involve special risks. The issuer of the debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, or otherwise meet its obligations, in accordance with the terms of such debt, and the Fund may have limited legal recourse in the event of default. Countries such as those in which the Fund may invest have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate trade difficulties and unemployment. Some of these countries are also characterized by political uncertainty or instability. Additional factors that may influence the ability or willingness to service debt include, but are not limited to, a country’s cash flow situation, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of its debt service burden to the economy as a whole and its government’s policy towards the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other international agencies. If a government entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay, and there are no bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected. Further, if a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Unlike most corporate debt restructurings, the fees and expenses of financial and legal advisers to the creditors in connection with a restructuring may be borne by the holders of the sovereign debt securities instead of the sovereign entity itself. Some sovereign debtors have in the past been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moratoria on payments, and similar occurrences may happen in the future. In addition, the financial markets have at times seen an increase in volatility and adverse trends due to uncertainty surrounding the level and sustainability of sovereign debt of certain countries (for example in countries that are part of the European Union, including Greece, Spain, Ireland, Italy and Portugal in recent years). These developments adversely affected the exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect every country in Europe. Outside of the European Union, Iceland has also experienced adverse trends due to high debt levels and excessive lending during the height of the financial crisis that began in 2008.

 

The Fund may have difficulty disposing of certain sovereign debt obligations because there may be a limited trading market for such securities.  Because there is no liquid secondary market for many of these securities, the Fund anticipate that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of dealers or institutional investors.  The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the market price of such securities and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular issues when necessary to meet its liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer.  The lack of a liquid secondary market for certain securities also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset value. See also “Foreign Investments” above.

 

Sub-Sovereign Debt. Sub-sovereign government bonds represent the debt of state, provincial, territorial, municipal, local or other political sub-divisions, including other governmental entities or agencies, other than sovereign governments. In addition to risks of investing in sovereign debt generally, risks of investing in sub-sovereign debt include the fact that such investments may or may not be issued by, or guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the sub-sovereign’s larger sovereign entity. Certain foreign sub-sovereign securities may be backed by the issuer’s right to borrow from a central bank or other regional banking entity, while others may be backed only by the assets and credit of the issuing foreign sub-sovereign entity.

 

Supranational Entities. The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by supranational entities, which may include, for example, entities such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank). If one or more shareholders

 

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of a supranational entity fails to make necessary additional capital contributions, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and the Fund may lose money on such investments.

 

STRUCTURED SECURITIES. Structured securities and other related instruments purchased by the Fund are generally privately negotiated debt obligations where the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to the performance of a specific asset, benchmark asset, market or interest rate. Depending on the terms of the particular instrument and the nature of the underlying instrument, structured securities may be subject to equity market risk, commodity market risk, currency market risk or interest rate risk. Structured securities that do not involve any type of credit enhancement, are subject to credit risk that generally will be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments.  Credit enhanced securities will be subject to the credit risk associated with the provider of the enhancement. The Fund is permitted to invest in classes of structured securities that are either subordinated or unsubordinated with respect to the right to payment of another class. Subordinated structured securities typically have higher yields and present greater risks than unsubordinated structured securities. Structured securities are typically sold in private placement transactions, and there currently is no active trading market for structured securities. Certain issuers of such securities may be deemed to be “investment companies” as defined in the 1940 Act; therefore, the Fund’s investment in structured securities may be limited by certain investment restrictions contained therein. Structured securities may be leveraged, increasing the volatility of each structured security’s value relative to the change in the reference measure. Structured securities may also be more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities and instruments or more traditional debt securities.

 

TO BE ANNOUNCED (TBA) TRANSACTIONS RISK. TBA investments include when-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments. The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. When-issued or delayed-delivery transactions arise when securities are purchased or sold with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of entering into the transaction. The Fund may sell the securities before the settlement date if the sub-adviser deems it advisable. Distributions attributable to any gains realized on such a sale are taxable to shareholders. When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. The Fund is subject to this risk whether or not the Fund takes delivery of the securities on the settlement date for a transaction. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund loses both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price. The Fund may also take a short position in a TBA investment when it owns or has the right to obtain, at no added cost, identical securities. If the Fund takes such a short position, it may reduce the risk of a loss if the price of the securities declines in the future, but will lose the opportunity to profit if the price rises. The Fund may purchase or sell undrawn or delayed draw loans.

 

Short Sales of TBA Investments Risk. The Fund may also engage in shorting of TBAs. When the Fund enters into a short sale of a TBA investment it effectively agrees to sell at a future price and date a security it does not own. Although most TBA short sales transactions are closed before the Fund would be required to deliver the security, if the Fund does not close the position, such Fund may have to purchase the securities needed to settle the short sale at a higher price than anticipated, which would cause the Fund to lose money. The Fund may not always be able to purchase the securities required to settle a short sale at a particular time or at an attractive price. The Fund may incur increased transaction costs associated with selling TBA securities short. In addition, taking short positions in TBA securities results in a form of leverage, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s returns.

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES RISK. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. In addition, the value of U.S. Government securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government.  U.S. Government securities are also subject to default risk, which is the risk that the U.S. Treasury will be unable to meet its payment obligations. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. Government securities held by the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

 

Treasury Inflation-Protection Securities. TIPS are U.S. Treasury securities designed to protect against inflation. The interest rate paid on TIPS is fixed. The principal value rises or falls semi-annually based on published changes to the Consumer Price Index. If inflation occurs, the principal amount will be adjusted upwards, resulting in increased interest payments. If deflation occurs, the principal amount will be adjusted downwards, resulting in lower interest payments. The principal amount payable at maturity will be the greater of the adjusted principal amount and the original principal amount. While U.S. Treasury securities are generally considered to have relatively little credit risk, they are subject to price fluctuations from changes in interest rates prior to their maturity.

 

Valuation Risk. Investors who purchase shares of the Fund on, or whose repurchase requests are valued on, days when the Fund is holding instruments that have been fair valued may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher repurchase proceeds than they would have received if the instruments had not been fair valued or if the Fund had employed an alternate valuation methodology.

 

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Such risks may be more pronounced in a rising interest rate environment, and, to the extent the Fund holds a significant percentage of fair valued or otherwise difficult to value securities, it may be particularly susceptible to the risks associated with valuation. For additional information about valuation determinations, see “Determination of Net Asset Value” in the Prospectus. Portions of the Fund’s portfolio that are fair valued or difficult to value vary from time to time. The Fund’s shareholder reports (when available) contain detailed information about the Fund’s holdings that are fair valued or difficult to value, including values of such holdings as of the dates of the reports.

 

Valuation of Private Investments Risk. While the valuation of the Fund’s publicly-traded securities are more readily ascertainable, the Fund’s ownership interest in private investments (including private commercial mortgage loans) are not publicly traded and the Fund will use a third-party pricing service or internal pricing methodologies to provide pricing information for certain private investments. The value of loans, securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable, and the Fund will value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund pursuant to the Valuation Procedures, including to reflect significant events affecting the value of the Fund’s investments. Many of the Fund’s investments, including a number of its mortgage loans may be classified as Level 3 under Topic 820 of the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification, as amended, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”). This means that the Fund’s portfolio valuations will be based on significant unobservable inputs and the Fund’s own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability in question. The Fund expects that inputs into the determination of fair value of the Fund’s portfolio investments will require significant judgment or estimation. Even if observable market data are available, such information may be the result of consensus pricing information or broker quotes, which include a disclaimer that the broker would not be held to such a price in an actual transaction. The non-binding nature of consensus pricing and/or quotes accompanied by disclaimers materially reduces the reliability of such information. The Fund expects to retain the services of one or more independent service providers to review the valuation of these loans and securities. The types of factors that the Fund may take into account in determining the fair value of the Fund’s investments generally include, as appropriate, comparison to publicly-traded securities including such factors as yield, maturity and measures of credit quality, the enterprise value of a portfolio company, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, the Fund’s determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these loans and securities existed. The Fund’s net asset value could be adversely affected if the Fund’s determinations regarding the fair value of the Fund’s investments were materially higher than the values that the Fund ultimately realizes upon the disposal of such loans and securities.

 

VOLATILITY RISK. The risk that the Fund’s share price, yield and total return may fluctuate more than those of funds that use a different investment strategy.

 

WARRANTS AND RIGHTS RISK. Warrants are instruments giving holders the right, but not the obligation, to buy equity or fixed income securities of a company at a specific price during a specified period. Rights are similar to warrants but normally have a short life span to expiration. The purchase of rights or warrants involves the risk that the Fund could lose the purchase value of a right or warrant if the right to subscribe to additional shares is not exercised prior to the right’s or warrant’s expiration. Also, the purchase of rights and/or warrants involves the risk that the effective price paid for the right and/or warrant added to the subscription price of the related security may exceed the value of the subscribed security’s market price such as when there is no movement in the level of the underlying security. Buying a warrant does not make the Fund a shareholder of the underlying stock. The warrant holder has no voting or dividend rights with respect to the underlying stock. A warrant does not carry any right to assets of the issuer, and for this reason investment in warrants may be more speculative than other equity-based investments. The market for warrants may be limited and it may be difficult for the Fund to sell a warrant promptly at an advantageous price.

 

ZERO COUPON SECURITIES. Zero-coupon securities pay no interest prior to their maturity date or another specified date in the future but are issued and traded at a discount to their face value. The discount varies as the securities approach their maturity date (or the date on which interest payments are scheduled to begin). While interest payments are not made on such securities, holders of such securities are deemed to have received income (“phantom income”) annually, notwithstanding that cash may not be received currently. As with other fixed income securities, zero coupon bonds are subject to interest rate and credit risk. Some of these securities may be subject to substantially greater price fluctuations during periods of changing market rates than comparable securities that pay interest currently. Longer term zero coupon bonds have greater interest rate risk than shorter term zero coupon bonds.

 

41

 

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

 

The investment objectives and principal investment strategies of the Fund are described in the Fund’s prospectus. Additional information concerning certain of the Fund’s investments, strategies and risks is set forth below.

 

A.       FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE FUND

 

The Fund has adopted the fundamental investment restrictions set forth below. Fundamental investment restrictions may not be changed with respect to the Fund without the approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Under the 1940 Act and as used in the prospectus and this SAI, a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the lesser of (1) the holders of 67% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund (or a class of the outstanding shares of the Fund) represented at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund (or class) are present in person or by proxy or (2) the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund (or of the class).

 

Unless otherwise provided below, all references below to the assets of the Fund are in terms of current market value.

 

The Fund:

 

1. will not borrow money or issue any class of senior securities, except to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or as may otherwise be permitted from time to time by regulatory authority;

 

2. will not “concentrate” its investments in a particular industry or group of industries, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder as such may be interpreted or modified from time to time by regulatory authorities having appropriate jurisdiction; except that the Fund will concentrate in mortgage-related securities, which shall include all types of agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities and mortgage-related loans.

 

3. will not make loans, except to the extent consistent with the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or as may otherwise be permitted from time to time by regulatory authority;

 

4. will not act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under applicable laws;

 

5. will not purchase or sell real estate, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, as such may be interpreted or modified from time to time by regulatory authorities having appropriate jurisdiction; and

 

6. will not invest in physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, as such may be interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, from time to time and as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI.

 

In addition, the Fund has adopted a fundamental policy that it will make quarterly repurchase offers pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, for between 5% and 25% of the applicable number of Shares outstanding at NAV, unless suspended or postponed in accordance with regulatory requirements, and each repurchase pricing shall occur no later than the 14th day after the Repurchase Request Deadline (as defined in the Prospectus), or the next business day if the 14th day is not a business day.

 

B.       NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE FUND

 

The following restrictions are non-fundamental restrictions and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”) without shareholder approval.

 

The Fund may not:

 

1. Pledge its assets other than to secure permitted borrowings or to secure investments permitted by the Fund’s investment policies as set forth in its prospectus and this SAI, as they may be amended from time to time, and applicable law.

 

2. Purchase securities on margin except to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

3. Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, except to the extent permitted by the Fund’s prospectus and SAI, as amended from time to time, and applicable law.

 

C.       NON-FUNDAMENTAL TAX RESTRICTIONS OF THE FUND

 

The Fund must:

 

1. Maintain its assets so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year,

 

(a)   at least 50% of the fair market value of its total assets is comprised of cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other securities (including bank loans), limited in respect of any one issuer to no more

 

42

 

 

than 5% of the fair market value of the Fund’s total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and

 

(b)   no more than 25% of the fair market value of its total assets is invested in the securities (including bank loans) of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), or of two or more issuers controlled by the Fund and engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

These tax-related limitations are subject to cure provisions under applicable tax laws and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval to the extent appropriate in light of changes to applicable tax law requirements.

 

D.        CLASSIFICATION

 

The Fund has elected to be classified as a diversified closed-end management investment company operating as a continuously offered interval fund. As a diversified fund, at least 75% of the value of each such Fund’s total assets must be represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, securities of other investment companies, and other securities for the purposes of this calculation limited in respect of any one issuer (i) to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the total assets of such Fund and (ii) to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer.

 

The Fund may not change its classification status from diversified to non-diversified without the prior approval of shareholders.

 

E.       ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

The information below is not considered to be part of the Fund’s fundamental policies and is provided for informational purposes only.

 

If the percentage restrictions on investments described in this SAI and any Prospectus are adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in such percentage resulting from a change in the values of securities or loans, a change in the Fund’s net assets or a change in security characteristics is not a violation of any of such restrictions.

 

With respect to investment restriction A.2, the 1940 Act does not define what constitutes “concentration” in an industry. However, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has taken the position that an investment in excess of 25% of the Fund’s total assets in one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry generally constitutes concentration. The Fund does not apply this restriction to municipal securities, repurchase agreements collateralized by securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or other investment companies. In addition, for purposes of the Fund’s concentration policy set forth in investment restriction A.2, obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities that are not mortgage-backed securities shall not be considered part of any industry.

 

With respect to investment restriction A.5, the 1940 Act does not directly restrict the Fund’s ability to invest in real estate, but does require that every fund have the fundamental investment policy governing such investments. The Fund may acquire real estate as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and the Fund may invest in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business or real estate investment trusts.

 

With respect to investment restriction A.6, although the 1940 Act does not directly limit the Fund’s ability to invest in physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities, the Fund’s investments in physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities may be limited by the Fund’s intention to qualify as a registered investment company, as at least 90% of its gross income must come from certain qualifying sources of income, and income from physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities does not constitute qualifying income for this purpose.  Other restrictions that could also limit the Fund’s investment in physical commodities or contracts relating to physical commodities include where that investment implicates the Fund’s diversification, concentration, or securities-related issuer policies, and where the Fund would need to take certain steps as set forth in its policies to avoid being considered to issue any class of senior securities.

 

F.       CERTAIN INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, RISKS AND CONSIDERATIONS

 

The investment objective and principal investment strategies for the Fund are discussed in the Fund’s prospectus. Certain descriptions in the Fund’s prospectus and this SAI of a particular investment practice or technique in which the Fund may engage or a financial instrument that the Fund may purchase are meant to describe the spectrum of investments that the Fund’s sub-adviser, in its discretion, might, but is not required to, use in managing the Fund’s portfolio assets in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. The sub-adviser, in its discretion, may employ any such practice, technique or instrument for the Fund for which it serves as sub-adviser. It is possible that certain types of financial instruments or techniques may not be available, permissible or effective for their intended purposes in all markets.

 

The rules under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) require that adviser either operate within certain guidelines and restrictions with respect to the Fund’s use of futures, options on such futures, commodity options and certain swaps, or be subject to registration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”) with respect to the Fund and be required to operate the Fund in compliance with certain disclosure, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements.

 

43

 

 

Under current CFTC rules, the investment adviser of a registered investment company may claim an exemption from registration as a CPO only if the registered investment company that it advises uses futures contracts, options on such futures, commodity options and certain swaps solely for “bona fide hedging purposes,” or limits its use of such instruments for non-bona fide hedging purposes to certain de minimis amounts.

 

The Fund has currently elected not to register with the CFTC as a commodity pool. As a result, each such Fund will not purchase commodity futures, commodity options contracts, or swaps if, immediately after and as a result of such purchase, (i) the Fund’s aggregate initial margin and premiums posted for its non-bona fide hedging trading in these instruments exceeds 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and losses and excluding the in the-money amount of an option at the time of purchase) or (ii) the aggregate net notional value of the Fund’s positions in such instruments not used solely for bona fide hedging purposes exceeds 100% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and losses).

 

The Fund may choose to change its election at any time. If the Fund operates subject to CFTC regulation, it may incur additional expenses.

 

The Board may convert the Fund to a master-feeder structure without shareholder approval and with advance notice to the Fund’s shareholders. Under a master-feeder structure, the Fund (i.e., feeder fund) would seek to achieve its investment objective by, instead of investing in portfolio securities directly, investing all or a portion of its investable assets in another investment management company (i.e., master fund) with substantially the same investment objective, restrictions and policies.

 

Senior Securities. Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by an investment company evidencing indebtedness, including the issuance of debt or preferred shares of beneficial interest. Current law, as interpreted by the SEC and its staff, provides that, in the case of a senior security representing indebtedness, a closed-end investment company must have asset coverage of 300% immediately after such issuance, and no dividends on the company’s stock may be made unless the indebtedness generally has an asset coverage at that time of 300%. In the case of a class of senior security representing a stock, a closed-end investment company must have asset coverage of 200% immediately after such issuance, and no dividends on the company’s stock may be made unless the preferred stock generally has an asset coverage at that time of 200%. Shareholders of preferred stock also must have the right, as a class, to elect at least two trustees at all times and to elect a majority of trustees if dividends on their stock are unpaid in certain amounts.

 

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing policies, any investment company, whether organized as a trust, association or corporation, or a personal holding company, may be merged or consolidated with or acquired by the Fund, provided that if such merger, consolidation or acquisition results in an investment in the securities of any issuer prohibited by said paragraphs, the Fund shall, within 90 days after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of all of the securities of such issuer so acquired or such portion thereof as shall bring the total investment therein within the limitations imposed by said paragraphs above as of the date of consummation.

 

44

 

 

FUND MANAGEMENT

 

Board of Trustees

 

The Board of Trustees and officers of the Fund, their business addresses, principal occupations for at least the past five years and years of birth are listed in the tables below. The Fund’s Board of Trustees (i) provides broad supervision over the affairs of the Fund and (ii) elects officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fund and the execution of policies formulated by the Board of Trustees. The first table below provides information about those trustees who are deemed not to be “interested persons” of the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (i.e., “non-interested trustees”), and the second table below provides information about the Fund’s “interested” trustees and the Fund’s officers.

 

[Section to be Updated by Subsequent Amendment]

 

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES

NAME, YEAR
OF BIRTH
AND
ADDRESS*
POSITION
HELD
WITH THE
FUND
TERM OF
OFFICE**
AND
LENGTH
OF TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5
YEARS
NUMBER
OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX***
OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE
OTHER
TRUSTEESHIPS
FOR PUBLIC
COMPANIES AND
OTHER
REGISTERED
INVESTMENT
COMPANIES
HELD BY
TRUSTEE
           
           
           

 

45

 

 

NAME, YEAR
OF BIRTH
AND
ADDRESS*
POSITION
HELD
WITH THE
FUND
TERM OF
OFFICE**
AND
LENGTH
OF TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5
YEARS
NUMBER
OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND
COMPLEX***
OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE
OTHER
TRUSTEESHIPS
FOR PUBLIC
COMPANIES AND
OTHER
REGISTERED
INVESTMENT
COMPANIES
HELD BY
TRUSTEE
           
           
           
           
           
           
*The address for each Trustee is c/o Hartford Funds 690 Lee Road, Wayne, PA 19087.
**Term of Office: Each Trustee holds an indefinite term until the earlier of (i) the election and qualification of his or her successor or (ii) when the Trustee turns 75 years of age.
***The portfolios of the “Fund Complex” are series of Hartford Schroders Opportunistic Income Fund, The Hartford Mutual Funds, Inc., The Hartford Mutual Funds II, Inc., Hartford Series Fund, Inc., Hartford HLS Series Fund II, Inc., Hartford Funds Master Fund, Lattice Strategies Trust, Hartford Funds Exchange-Traded Trust, and Hartford Funds NextShares Trust.

 

OFFICERS AND INTERESTED TRUSTEES

NAME, YEAR
OF BIRTH
AND
ADDRESS*
POSITION
HELD
WITH THE
FUND
TERM OF
OFFICE**
AND
LENGTH
OF
TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5
YEARS
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN
FUND
COMPLEX***
OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE
OTHER
TRUSTEESHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           

 

46

 

 

NAME, YEAR
OF BIRTH
AND
ADDRESS*
POSITION
HELD
WITH THE
FUND
TERM OF
OFFICE**
AND
LENGTH
OF
TIME
SERVED
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5
YEARS
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN
FUND
COMPLEX***
OVERSEEN BY
TRUSTEE
OTHER
TRUSTEESHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE
           
           
*The address for each officer and Trustee is c/o Hartford Funds 690 Lee Road, Wayne, PA 19087.
**Each Trustee holds an indefinite term until the earlier of (i) the election and qualification of his or her successor or (ii) when the Trustee turns 75 years of age. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.
***The portfolios of the “Fund Complex” are series of Hartford Schroders Opportunistic Income Fund, The Hartford Mutual Funds, Inc., The Hartford Mutual Funds II, Inc., Hartford Series Fund, Inc., Hartford HLS Series Fund II, Inc., Hartford Funds Master Fund, Lattice Strategies Trust, Hartford Funds Exchange-Traded Trust, and Hartford Funds NextShares Trust.
****“Interested person,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund because of the person’s affiliation with, or equity ownership of, Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC (“HFMC” or the “Adviser”), Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC (“HFD”) or affiliated companies.

 

All trustees and officers of the Fund also hold corresponding positions with The Hartford Mutual Funds, Inc., The Hartford Mutual Funds II, Inc., Hartford Series Fund, Inc., Hartford HLS Series Fund II, Inc., Hartford Funds Master Fund, Hartford Funds NextShares Trust, Hartford Funds Exchange-Traded Trust and Lattice Strategies Trust.

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

 

The Fund has a Board of Trustees. The Board is responsible for oversight of the Fund. The Board elects officers who are responsible for the day–to-day operations of the Fund. The Board oversees the Adviser and the other principal service providers of the Fund. As described in more detail below, the Board has established five standing committees that assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities: the Audit Committee, Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee, Contracts Committee, Investment Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee (collectively, the “Committees”).

 

The Board is chaired by an Independent Trustee. The Independent Chairman (i) presides at Board meetings and participates in the preparation of agendas for the meetings, (ii) acts as a liaison with the Fund’s officers, investment adviser and other trustees between meetings and (iii) coordinates Board activities and functions with the Chairperson of the Committees. The Independent Chairman may also perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. The Board has determined that the Board’s leadership and committee structure is appropriate because it provides a foundation for the Board to work effectively with management and service providers and facilitates the exercise of the Board’s independent judgment. In addition, the committee structure permits an efficient allocation of responsibility among the Trustees.

 

The Board oversees risk as part of its general oversight of the Fund and risk is addressed as part of various Board and Committee activities. The Fund is subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, financial, operational and valuation risks. The Fund’s service providers, which are responsible for the day to day operations of the Fund, apply risk management in conducting their activities. The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Fund, and that it is not possible to develop processes and controls to eliminate all risks and their possible effects. The Audit Committee, Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee, and Investment Committee receive reports or other information from management regarding risk assessment and management. In addition, the Adviser has established an internal committee focused on risk assessment and risk management related to the operations of the Fund and the investment adviser, and the chairperson of that committee reports to the Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee on a semi-annual basis (or more frequently if appropriate). The Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee assists the Board in overseeing the activities of the Fund’s chief compliance officer (“CCO”), and the CCO provides an annual report to the Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee and the Board regarding material compliance matters. The Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee and the Board receive and consider other reports from the CCO throughout the year. The Investment Committee assists the Board in overseeing investment matters. The Investment Committee receives reports from the investment adviser relating to investment performance, including information regarding investment risk. The Audit Committee assists the Board in reviewing financial matters, including matters relating to financial reporting risks and valuation risks. The Board may, at any time and in its discretion, change the manner in which it conducts its risk oversight role.

 

47

 

 

STANDING COMMITTEES.

 

The Board of Trustees has established an Audit Committee, a Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee, a Contracts Committee, an Investment Committee and a Nominating and Governance Committee. The Fund does not have a standing compensation committee. However, the Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board regarding the compensation of the non-interested members of the Board. The Board has adopted written charters for the Audit Committee, the Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee, the Investment Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee.

 

The Audit Committee currently consists of the following non-interested trustees: [             ]. The Audit Committee (i) oversees the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, their internal controls and, as appropriate, the internal controls of certain service providers; (ii) assists the Board of Trustees in its oversight of the qualifications, independence and performance of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; the quality, objectivity and integrity of the Fund’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; and the performance of the Fund’s internal audit function; and (iii) acts as a liaison between the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board. The Fund’s independent registered accounting firm reports directly to the Audit Committee, and the Audit Committee regularly reports to the Board of Trustees.

 

Management is responsible for maintaining appropriate systems for accounting. The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for conducting a proper audit of the Fund’s financial statements and is ultimately accountable to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has the ultimate authority and responsibility to select (subject to approval by the non-interested trustees and ratification by the Fund shareholders, as required) and evaluate the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, to determine the compensation of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and, when appropriate, to replace the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

The Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee currently consists of [             ]. The Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee assists the Board in its oversight of the adoption and implementation of compliance and enterprise risk management policies and procedures.

 

The Contracts Committee currently consists of all non-interested trustees of the Fund: [             ]. The Contracts Committee assists the Board in its consideration and review of fund contracts and the consideration of strategy-related matters.

 

The Investment Committee currently consists of [             ]. The Investment Committee assists the Board in its oversight of the Fund’s investment performance and related matters.

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee currently consists of all non-interested trustees of the Fund: [             ]. The Nominating and Governance Committee: (i) screens and selects candidates to the Board of Trustees and (ii) periodically reviews and evaluates the compensation of the non-interested trustees and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees regarding the compensation of, and expense reimbursement policies with respect to, non-interested trustees. The Nominating and Governance Committee is also authorized to consider and make recommendations to the Board regarding governance policies, including, but not limited to, any retirement policy for non-interested trustees. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders for non-interested trustees positions if a vacancy among the non-interested trustees occurs and if the nominee meets the Committee’s criteria.

 

During the Fund’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, the above referenced committees of the Fund met the following number of times: Audit Committee — [●] times, Investment Committee — [●] times, Nominating and Governance Committee — [●] times, Contracts Committee — [●] time and Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee — [●] times.

 

TRUSTEE QUALIFICATIONS.

 

The governing documents for the Fund do not set forth any specific qualifications to serve as a Trustee. The Charter for the Nominating and Governance Committee sets forth criteria that the Committee should consider as minimum requirements for consideration as an independent trustee, including: 15 years of business or academic experience in a management, administrative or other oversight capacity; a college degree or business experience equivalent to a college degree; an ability to invest in the Fund; a person of high ethical standards; and a person able to think through and discuss complicated regulatory and financial issues and arrive at reasonable decisions on these issues on behalf of Fund shareholders.

 

The Board has concluded, based on each trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills, on an individual basis and in combination with those of other trustees, that each trustee is qualified to serve as a trustee for the Fund. Among the attributes and skills common to all trustees are the ability to review, evaluate and discuss information and proposals provided to them regarding the Fund, the ability to interact effectively with management and service providers, and the ability to exercise independent business judgment. Where applicable, the Board has considered the actual service of each trustee in concluding that the trustee should continue to serve. Each trustee’s ability to perform his or her duties effectively has been attained through the trustee’s education and work experience, as well as service as a trustee for the Fund and/or other entities. Set forth below is a brief description of the specific experience of each trustee. Additional details regarding the background of each trustee is included in the chart earlier in this section.

 

48

 

 

OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES.

 

The following table discloses the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each trustee as of December 31, 2018 (i) in the Fund and (ii) on an aggregate basis in any registered investment companies overseen by the trustee within the same family of investment companies:

 

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES

NAME OF TRUSTEE DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY
SECURITIES IN THE FUND*
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE
OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN
ALL REGISTERED INVESTMENT
COMPANIES OVERSEEN
BY TRUSTEE IN FAMILY OF
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

* The Fund had not commenced operations as of December 31, 2018

 

INTERESTED TRUSTEE

NAME OF TRUSTEE
DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN THE FUND*
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE
OF EQUITY SECURITIES IN
ALL REGISTERED INVESTMENT
COMPANIES OVERSEEN
BY TRUSTEE IN FAMILY OF
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
     

* The Fund had not commenced operations as of December 31, 2018

 

COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES.

 

The Fund pays a portion of the chief compliance officer’s compensation, but otherwise does not pay salaries or compensation to any of its officers or trustees who are employed by Hartford Funds or its affiliates. The chart below sets forth the compensation paid by the Fund to the following trustees for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

 

49

 

 

Name of Person, Position Aggregate Compensation
From the Fund*
Pension Or Retirement
Benefits Accrued As Part
of Fund Expenses
Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement
Total Compensation
From the Fund Complex
Paid To Trustees
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         

* The Fund had not commenced operations as of October 31, 2018. Aggregate compensation from the Fund is estimated for the Fund’s first fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.

 

The sales load for Class A shares of the Fund is waived for present and former officers, trustees and employees of the Fund, HFMC, The Hartford, the sub-adviser, the transfer agent and their affiliates. Such waiver is designed to provide an incentive for individuals that are involved and affiliated with the Fund and its operations to invest in the Fund. Present and former officers, trustees and employees of the Fund, HFMC, The Hartford, the sub-adviser, the transfer agent and their affiliates are also permitted to purchase Class I shares of the Fund. Class SDR shares are available for purchase by current or retired officers, trustees and employees (and their spouses and dependents) of Schroders plc and its affiliates without minimum investment amounts.

 

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust provides that the Fund to the full extent permitted by Delaware law and the federal securities laws shall indemnify the trustees and officers of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust does not authorize the Fund to indemnify any trustee or officer against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of or for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such person’s duties.

 

Investment Adviser

 

The Fund, has entered into an investment management agreement with HFMC. The investment management agreement provides that HFMC, subject to the supervision and approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of the Fund. HFMC administers the business and affairs of the Fund and may retain and compensate sub-advisers that invest and reinvest the assets of the Fund pursuant to sub-advisory agreements with HFMC. In this regard, HFMC will, whether directly or through engagement of sub-advisers, regularly provide the Fund with research, advice and supervision, and will furnish continuously an investment program for the Fund consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund. HFMC shall also monitor, supervise and oversee any sub-adviser. Among other services, HFMC: (i) provides and, as necessary, re-evaluates and updates the investment objectives and parameters, asset classes, and risk profiles of the Fund; (ii) determines, as permitted through the engagement of sub-advisers as the case may be, what securities and other financial instruments should be purchased for the Fund and the portion of the Fund’s portfolio to be held in cash; (iii) monitors the Fund’s performance and examines and recommends ways to improve performance; (iv) meets with and monitors sub-advisers to confirm their compliance with the Fund’s investment strategies and policies and for their adherence to legal and compliance procedures; (v) researches and recommends sub-advisers or portfolio managers for the Fund; and (vi) reports to the Board on the performance of the Fund and recommends action as appropriate.

 

In addition, HFMC or its affiliate(s) provides administrative services to the Fund, including personnel, services, equipment and facilities and office space for proper operation of the Fund. Although HFMC, or its affiliates, have agreed to arrange for the provision of additional services necessary for the proper operation of the Fund, the Fund pays for these services directly. Among other services, HFMC: (i) assists in all aspects of the Fund’s operations, including the supervision and coordination of service providers (e.g., the custodian, transfer agent or other shareholder servicing agents, accountants, and attorneys), and serves as the liaison between such service providers and the Board; (ii) drafts and negotiates agreements between service providers and the Fund; (iii) prepares meeting materials for the Fund’s Board and produces such other materials as the Board may request; (iv) coordinates and oversees filings with the SEC; (v) develops and implements compliance programs for the Fund; (vi) provides day-to-day legal and regulatory support for the Fund; (vii) assists the Fund in the handling of regulatory examinations; and (viii) makes reports to the Board regarding the performance of the Fund’s investment adviser.

 

With respect to the Fund, HFMC has entered into an investment sub-advisory agreement with Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. (“SIMNA”). Under the investment sub-advisory agreement, SIMNA, subject to the general supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees and HFMC, is responsible for (among other things) the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund and furnishing the Fund with advice and recommendations with respect to investments and the purchase and sale of appropriate securities for the Fund.

 

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As provided by the investment management agreement, the Fund pays HFMC an investment management fee that is accrued daily and paid monthly, equal on an annual basis to a [x.xx]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. HFMC pays the sub-advisory fees to the sub-adviser.

 

HFMC also provides the Fund with accounting services pursuant to the fund accounting agreement by and between the Fund and HFMC. HFMC has delegated certain accounting and administrative service functions to State Street Bank and Trust Company. The costs and expenses of such delegation are borne by HFMC, not by the Fund. In consideration of services rendered and expenses assumed pursuant to this agreement, the Fund pays HFMC a fee calculated at the following annual rate based on its average daily net assets shown below.

 

Average Daily Net Assets Annual Fee
First $[●] billion  
Next $[●] billion  
Amount Over $[●] billion  

 

The Adviser may make payments to banks or other financial institutions that provide shareholder services and administer shareholder accounts. If a bank or other financial institution were prohibited from continuing to perform all or a part of such services, management of the Fund believes that there would be no material impact on the Fund or shareholders. Banks and other financial institutions may charge their customers fees for offering these services to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall return to those shareholders availing themselves of the bank services will be lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Fund may from time to time purchase securities issued by banks and other financial institutions that provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such securities.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Michelle Russell-Dowe and Anthony Breaks are the Portfolio Managers of the Fund.

 

OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED OR SUB-ADVISED BY SCHRODERS PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

The following table lists the number and types of other accounts managed or sub-advised by the Fund’s portfolio managers and assets under management in those accounts as of _______________, 2019:

 

FUND AND PORTFOLIO
MANAGER
NUMBER OF
ACCOUNTS

ASSETS
MANAGED

(in millions)

Number of
Accounts
where AdvisorY
Fee is Based on
Account
Performance
Total Assets in
Accounts where
Advisory Fee is
Based on Account
Performance
(in millions)
Michelle Russell-Dowe        
Other Registered Investment Companies        
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles        
Other Accounts        
Anthony Breaks        
Other Registered Investment Companies        
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles        
Other Accounts        

 

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BETWEEN THE FUND SUB-ADVISED BY SCHRODERS’ PORTFOLIO MANAGERS AND OTHER ACCOUNTS

 

Whenever a portfolio manager of the Fund manages other accounts, potential conflicts of interest exist, including potential conflicts between the investment strategy of the Fund and the investment strategy of the other accounts. For example, in certain instances, a portfolio manager may take conflicting positions in a particular security for different accounts, by selling a security for one account and continuing to hold it for another account. In addition, the fact that other accounts require the portfolio manager to devote less than all of his or her time to the Fund may be seen itself to constitute a conflict with the interest of the Fund.

 

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Each portfolio manager may also execute transactions for another fund or account at the direction of such fund or account that may adversely impact the value of securities held by the Fund. Securities selected for funds or accounts other than the Fund may outperform the securities selected for the Fund. In addition, some of these accounts managed by the portfolio managers may have fee structures, including performance fees, that are or have the potential to be higher, in some cases significantly higher, than the fees SIMNA receives for managing the Fund. Finally, if the portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for more than one fund or other account, the Fund may not be able to take advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of that opportunity to or across eligible funds and accounts. Schroders’ policies, however, require that portfolio managers allocate investment opportunities among accounts managed by them in an equitable manner over time. Orders are normally allocated on a pro rata basis, except that in certain circumstances, such as the small size of an issue, orders will be allocated among clients in a manner believed by Schroders to be fair and equitable over time.

 

The structure of a portfolio manager’s compensation may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. A portfolio manager’s base pay tends to increase with additional and more complex responsibilities that include increased assets under management, which indirectly links compensation to sales. Also, potential conflicts of interest may arise since the structure of Schroders’ compensation may vary from account to account.

 

Schroders has adopted certain compliance procedures that are designed to address these, and other, types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation where a conflict arises.

 

COMPENSATION OF SCHRODERS’ PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

Schroders receives a fee based on the assets under management of the Fund as set forth in the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between SIMNA and HFMC on behalf of the Fund. Schroders pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues, including the advisory fees earned with respect to the Fund. The following information relates to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

 

Schroders’ methodology for measuring and rewarding the contribution made by portfolio managers combines quantitative measures with qualitative measures. The Fund’s portfolio managers are compensated for their services to the Fund and to other accounts they manage in a combination of base salary and annual discretionary bonus, as well as the standard retirement, health and welfare benefits available to all Schroders employees. Certain fund managers may also receive awards under a long-term incentive program. Base salary of Schroders’ employees is determined by reference to the level of responsibility inherent in the role and the experience of the incumbent, is benchmarked annually against market data to ensure that Schroders is paying competitively. Schroders’ reviews base salaries annually, targeting increases at employees whose roles have increased in scope materially during the year and those whose salary is behind market rates. At more senior levels, base salaries tend to be adjusted less frequently as the emphasis is increasingly on the discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses for portfolio managers may be comprised of an agreed contractual floor, a revenue component and/or a discretionary component. Any discretionary bonus is determined by a number of factors. At a macro level the total amount available to spend is a function of the bonus to pre-bonus profit ratio before tax and the compensation to revenue ratio achieved by Schroders globally. Schroders then assesses the performance of the division and of a management team to determine the share of the aggregate bonus pool that is spent in each area. This focus on “team” maintains consistency and minimizes internal competition that may be detrimental to the interests of Schroders’ clients. For each team, Schroders assesses the performance of their funds relative to competitors and to relevant benchmarks (which may be internally-and/or externally-based and are considered over a range of performance periods), the level of funds under management, and the level of performance fees generated, if any. Schroders also reviews “softer” factors such as leadership, contribution to other parts of the business, and an assessment of the employee’s behavior and the extent to which it is in line with our corporate values of excellence, integrity, teamwork, passion and innovation. For those employees receiving significant bonuses, a part may be deferred in the form of Schroders plc stock. These employees may also receive part of the deferred award in the form of notional cash investments in a range of Schroders Funds. These deferrals vest over a period of three years and are designed to ensure that the interests of the employees are aligned with those of the shareholders of Schroders.

 

For the purposes of determining the portfolio managers’ bonuses, the relevant external benchmarks for performance comparison include: 50% ICE BofAML US ABS & CMBS Index, 50% S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index.

 

EQUITY SECURITIES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY SCHRODERS PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

Because the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, the Fund’s portfolio managers did not own any equity securities in the Fund as of that date.

 

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REPURCHASE OF SHARES

 

In order to provide some liquidity to shareholders, the Fund makes quarterly offers to repurchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV. Notices of each quarterly repurchase offer are sent to shareholders at least 21 days before the “Repurchase Request Deadline” (i.e., the date by which shareholders can tender their Common Shares in response to a repurchase offer). The Fund determines the NAV applicable to repurchases no later than the 14 calendar days after the Repurchase Request Deadline (or the next business day, if the 14th calendar day is not a business day) (the “Repurchase Pricing Date”). The Fund expects to distribute payment to shareholders between one and three business days after the Repurchase Pricing Date and will distribute such payment no later than seven calendar days after such date. The Fund’s Shares are not listed on any securities exchange, and the Fund anticipates that no secondary market will develop for its Shares. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Thus, Shares are appropriate only as a long-term investment. In addition, the Fund’s repurchase offers may subject the Fund and shareholders to special risks.

 

The section entitled “Share Repurchase Program” in the Prospectus discusses the type and timing of notice for repurchase offers, the effects of oversubscribed repurchase offers, the determination of the repurchase price, payment by the Fund for Shares tendered in a repurchase offer, the effect of repurchase policies on the liquidity of the Fund, the consequences of repurchase offers and other details regarding the repurchase offers, including associated risks. The Fund’s fundamental policies with respect to repurchase offers are discussed in “Investment Objectives and Policies – Fundamental Investment Restrictions of the Fund” in this SAI.

 

See “Types of Investments and Related Risks – Repurchase Offers Risks” in the Prospectus for a description of the risks associated with the Fund’s repurchase offers. In addition, the repurchase of Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event to shareholders. For a discussion of these tax consequences, see “Taxation” below.

 

Subject to its investment limitations, the Fund may borrow to finance the repurchase of shares or to make a tender offer. Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Fund’s net income and gains. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board would have to comply with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and other applicable law.

 

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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

 

The Fund has no obligation to deal with any dealer or group of dealers in the execution of transactions in portfolio securities.

 

Subject to any policy established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees and HFMC, Schroders is primarily responsible for the investment decisions of the Fund and the placing of its portfolio transactions. In placing brokerage orders, it is the policy of the Fund to obtain the most favorable net results, taking into account various factors, including price, dealer spread or commission, if any, size of the transaction and difficulty of execution. While the sub-adviser generally seeks reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, the Fund does not necessarily pay the lowest possible spread or commission. HFMC may instruct the sub-adviser to direct certain brokerage transactions, using best efforts, subject to obtaining best execution, to broker/dealers in connection with a commission recapture program used to defray fund expenses for the Fund.

 

The sub-adviser generally deals directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved (unless better prices and execution are available elsewhere) if the securities are traded primarily in the over-the-counter market. Such dealers usually act as principals for their own account. On occasion, securities may be purchased directly from the issuer. In addition, the sub-adviser may effect certain “riskless principal” transactions through certain dealers in the over-the-counter market under which commissions are paid on such transactions. Bonds and money market securities are generally traded on a net basis and do not normally involve either brokerage commissions or transfer taxes.

 

While the sub-adviser seeks to obtain the most favorable net results in effecting transactions in the Fund’s portfolio securities, broker-dealers who provide investment research to the sub-adviser may receive orders for transactions from the sub-adviser. Such research services ordinarily consist of assessments and analyses of or affecting the business or prospects of a company, industry, economic sector or financial market. To the extent consistent with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), the sub-adviser may cause the Fund to pay a broker-dealer that provides brokerage and research services (as defined in the 1934 Act) to the sub-adviser an amount in respect of securities transactions for the Fund in excess of the amount that another broker-dealer would have charged in respect of that transaction. See “Soft Dollar Practices” below.

 

To the extent that accounts managed by the sub-adviser are simultaneously engaged in the purchase of the same security as the Fund, then, as authorized by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, available securities may be allocated to the Fund and another client account and may be averaged as to price in a manner determined by the sub-adviser to be fair and equitable. Such allocation and pricing may affect the amount of brokerage commissions paid by such Fund. In some cases, this system might adversely affect the price paid by the Fund (for example, during periods of rapidly rising or falling interest rates) or limit the size of the position obtainable for the Fund (for example, in the case of a small issue).

 

Accounts managed by the sub-adviser (or its affiliates) may hold securities also held by the Fund. Because of different investment objectives or other factors, a particular security may be purchased by the sub-adviser for one client when one or more other clients are selling the same security.

 

Because the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, no information regarding brokerage commissions paid is available.

 

Commission rates are established by country and trade method used to execute a given order.  Changes in the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund are due to these factors as well as the Fund’s asset growth, cash flows and changes in portfolio turnover.

 

Soft Dollar Practices

 

The sub-adviser is responsible for effecting securities transactions for the Fund. As noted above, to the extent consistent with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, the sub-adviser may obtain “soft dollar” benefits in connection with the execution of transactions for the Fund. The sub-adviser may cause the Fund to pay a broker-dealer an amount in excess of the amount that another broker-dealer would have charged for the same transaction, in exchange for “brokerage and research services” (as defined in the 1934 Act). Information so received is in addition to and not in lieu of the services that the sub-adviser is required to perform under the applicable investment sub-advisory agreement. In circumstances where two or more broker-dealers are equally capable of providing best execution, the sub-adviser may, but is under no obligation to, choose the broker-dealer that provides superior research or analysis as determined by the sub-adviser in its sole discretion. Neither the management fees nor the sub-advisory fees are reduced because the sub-adviser or its affiliates receive these services even though the sub-adviser or its affiliates might otherwise be required to purchase some of these services for cash. Some of these services are of value to the sub-adviser or its affiliates in advising various of their clients (including the Fund), although not all of these services are necessarily useful and of value in managing the Fund. These products and services may include research reports, access to management personnel, financial newsletters and trade journals, seminar and conference fees, quantitative analytical software, data services, communication services relating to (or incidental to) the execution, clearing and settlement of securities transactions, post-trade services relating to functions incidental to trade execution, and other products and services that are permitted under Section 28(e), as interpreted by the SEC from time to time. In certain instances, these products and services may have additional uses that are not related to brokerage or research. For such “mixed use” items, in accordance with SEC guidance, the sub-adviser will

 

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make a reasonable allocation of the cost of the item according to its expected use, and will pay for that portion of the item that does not have a brokerage or research-related component out of its own pocket.

 

Because the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, no information regarding brokerage commissions paid to firms selected in recognition of research services is available.

 

Because the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, no information regarding the Fund’s investments in securities issued by the Fund’s regular brokers or dealers (as defined under Rule 10b-1 of the 1940 Act) is available.

 

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PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROXY VOTING RECORD

 

The Board believes that the voting of proxies with respect to securities held by the Fund is an important element of the overall investment process. Pursuant to the Fund’s Policy Related to Proxy Voting, as approved by the Fund’s Board, HFMC has delegated to the sub-adviser the authority to vote all proxies relating to the Fund’s portfolio securities. The sub-adviser’s exercise of this delegated proxy voting authority on behalf of the Fund is subject to oversight by HFMC. The sub-adviser has a duty to vote or not vote such proxies in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, and to avoid the influence of conflicts of interest. In addition, if the sub-adviser requests that the HFMC vote a proxy in the Fund because the sub-adviser believes it has a conflict of interest with respect to said proxy, HFMC may vote such securities. HFMC may choose to echo vote, vote in accordance with stated guidelines set forth by a proxy voting service or in accordance with its recommendations, abstain or hire a third-party fiduciary.

 

A summary of the policies and procedures used by the sub-adviser to determine how to vote certain proxies relating to portfolio securities is described below. In addition to a summary description of such policies and procedures, included below are descriptions of how such policies and procedures apply to various topics. However, the following are descriptions only and more complete information should be obtained by reviewing the sub-adviser’s policies and procedures, as well as the Fund’s voting records. For a complete copy of the sub-adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, as well as any separate guidelines it uses, please refer to www.hartfordfunds.com. Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-843-7824 and (2) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

If a security has not been restricted from securities lending and the security is on loan over a record date, the Fund’s sub-adviser may not be able to vote any proxies for that security.

 

The Fund will file a Form N-PX, with the Fund’s complete proxy voting record for the 12 months ended June 30, no later than August 31st of each year. Form N-PX for the Fund will be available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-888-843-7824 and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

SUMMARY OF SIMNA PROXY VOTING POLICY

 

Proxy Voting General Principles

 

SIMNA and its affiliates. (collectively, “Schroders”) will evaluate and usually vote for or against all proxy requests relating to securities held in any account managed by Schroders (unless this responsibility has been retained by the client).

 

Proxies will be treated and evaluated with the same attention and investment skill as the trading of securities in the accounts.

 

Proxies will be voted in a manner that is deemed most likely to protect and enhance the longer term value of the security as an asset to the account.

 

Corporate Governance Committee

 

The Corporate Governance Committee for the Schroders Group consists of investment professionals and other officers and coordinates with Schroders to ensure compliance with this proxy voting policy. The Committee meets on a periodic basis to review proxies voted, policy guidelines and to examine any issues raised, including a review of any votes cast in connection with controversial issues.

 

The procedure for evaluating proxy requests is as follows:

 

The Schroders’ Group Corporate Governance Team (the “Team”) provides an initial evaluation of the proxy request, seeks advice where necessary, especially from the U.S. small cap and mid cap product heads, and consults with portfolio managers who have invested in the company should a controversial issue arise.

 

When coordinating proxy-voting decisions, the Team generally adheres to the Group Environmental, Social & Governance Policy (the “Policy”), as revised from time to time. The Policy, which has been approved by the Corporate Governance Committee, sets forth Schroder Group positions on recurring issues and criteria for addressing non-recurring issues. The Corporate Governance Committee exercises oversight to assure that proxies are voted in accordance with the Policy and that any votes inconsistent with the Policy or against management are appropriately documented.

 

The Team uses Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (“ISS”) to assist in voting proxies. ISS provides proxy research, voting and vote-reporting services. ISS’s primary function is to apprise the Team of shareholder meeting dates of all securities holdings, translate proxy materials received from companies, provide associated research and provide considerations and recommendations for voting on particular proxy proposals. Although Schroders may consider ISS’s and others’ recommendations on proxy issues, Schroders bears ultimate responsibility for proxy voting decisions.

 

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Schroders may also consider the recommendations and research of other providers, including the National Association of Pension Fund’s Voting Issues Service.

 

Conflicts

 

From time to time, proxy voting proposals may raise conflicts between the interests of Schroders’ clients and the interests of Schroders and/or its employees. Schroders has adopted this policy and procedures to ensure that decisions to vote the proxies are based on the clients’ best interests.

 

For example, conflicts of interest may arise when:

 

·Proxy votes regarding non-routine matters are solicited by an issuer that, directly or indirectly, has a client relationship with Schroders;

 

·A proponent of a proxy proposal has a client relationship with Schroders;

 

·A proponent of a proxy proposal has a business relationship with Schroders;

 

·Schroders has business relationships with participants in proxy contests, corporate directors or director candidates;

 

Schroders is responsible for identifying proxy voting proposals that may present a material conflict of interest. If Schroders receives a proxy relating to an issuer that raises a conflict of interest, the Team shall determine whether the conflict is “material” to any specific proposal included within the proxy. Schroders (or the Team on behalf of Schroders) will determine whether a proposal is material as follows:

 

·Routine Proxy Proposals: Proxy proposals that are “routine” shall be presumed not to involve a material conflict of interest unless Schroders has actual knowledge that a routine proposal should be treated as material. For this purpose, “routine” proposals would typically include matters such as uncontested election of directors, meeting formalities, and approval of an annual report/financial statements.

  

·Non-Routine Proxy Proposals: Proxy proposals that are “non-routine” will be presumed to involve a material conflict of interest, unless Schroders determines that neither Schroders nor its personnel have a conflict of interest or the conflict is unrelated to the proposal in question. For this purpose, “non-routine” proposals would typically include any contested matter, including a contested election of directors, a merger or sale of substantial assets, a change in the articles of incorporation that materially affects the rights of shareholders, and compensation matters for management (e.g., stock, option plans, retirement plans, profit-sharing or other special remuneration plans). If Schroders determines that there is, or may be perceived to be, a conflict of interest when voting a proxy, Schroders will address matters involving such conflicts of interest as follows:

 

A. If a proposal is addressed by the Policy, Schroders will vote in accordance with such Policy;

 

B. If Schroders believes it is in the best interests of clients to depart from the Policy, Schroders will be subject to the requirements of C or D below, as applicable;

 

C. If the proxy proposal is (1) not addressed by the Policy or (2) requires a case-by-case determination, Schroders may vote such proxy as it determines to be in the best interest of clients, without taking any action described in D below, provided that such vote would be against Schroders’ own interest in the matter (i.e., against the perceived or actual conflict). The rationale of such vote will be memorialized in writing; and

 

D. If the proxy proposal is (1) not addressed by the Policy or (2) requires a case-by-case determination, and Schroders believes it should vote in a way that may also benefit, or be perceived to benefit, its own interest, then Schroders must take one of the following actions in voting such proxy: (a) vote in accordance with ISS’ recommendation; (b) in exceptional cases, inform the client(s) of the conflict of interest and obtain consent to vote the proxy as recommended by Schroders; or (c) obtain approval of the decision from the Chief Compliance Officer and the Chief Investment Officer (the rationale of such vote will be memorialized in writing). Where the director of a company is also a director of Schroders plc, Schroders will vote in accordance with ISS’ recommendation.

 

Voting Coverage

 

Schroders recognizes its responsibility to make considered use of voting rights. The overriding principle governing our approach to voting is to act in line with its fiduciary responsibilities in what we deem to be the interests of its clients.

 

Schroders normally hopes to support company management; however, it will withhold support or oppose management if it believes that it is in the best interests of its clients to do so.

 

Schroders votes on a variety of resolutions; however the majority of resolutions target specific corporate governance issues which are required under local stock exchange listing requirements, including but not limited to: approval of directors, accepting reports and

 

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accounts, approval of incentive plans, capital allocation, reorganizations and mergers. Schroders does vote on both shareholder and management resolutions.

 

Schroders Corporate Governance specialists assess resolutions, applying its voting policy and guidelines (as outlined in its Environmental, Social and Governance Policy) to each agenda item. These specialists draw on external research, such as the Investment Association’s Institutional Voting Information Services, the Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), and public reporting.

 

Schroders’ own research is also integral to our process and this will be conducted by both our investment and ESG analysts. Corporate Governance specialists will consult with the relevant analysts and portfolio managers to seek their view and better understand the corporate context. The final decision will reflect what investors and Corporate Governance specialists believe to be in the best long term interest of their client. When voting, where there is insufficient information with which to make a voting decision Schroders may not vote.

 

In order to maintain the necessary flexibility to meet client needs, local offices of Schroders may determine a voting policy regarding the securities for which they are responsible, subject to agreement with clients as appropriate, and/or addressing local market issues. Both Japan and Australia have these.

 

Schroders UK Stewardship Code Statement outlines its approach in this area in more detail for all of its international holdings and is publically available.

 

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TAXATION

 

FEDERAL TAX STATUS OF THE FUND

 

The following discussion of the federal tax status of the Fund is a general and abbreviated summary based on tax laws and regulations in effect on the date of this SAI. Tax law is subject to change by legislative, administrative or judicial action.

 

The Fund is treated as a separate taxpayer for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has elected or intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and to qualify as a regulated investment company each year. If the Fund: (1) continues to qualify as a regulated investment company, and (2) distributes to its shareholders an amount at least equal to the sum of: (i) 90% of its investment company taxable income (including for this purpose its net ordinary investment income and net realized short-term capital gains) and (ii) 90% of its tax-exempt interest income (reduced by certain expenses) (the “90% distribution requirement”), which the Fund intends to do, then under the provisions of Subchapter M, the Fund would not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., net long-term capital gain in excess of short-term capital loss) it distributes to shareholders (or is treated as having been distributed to shareholders).

 

The Fund must meet several requirements to maintain its status as a regulated investment company. These requirements include the following: (1) at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for each taxable year must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to loaned securities, gains from the sale or disposition of securities (including gains from related investments in foreign currencies), or other income (including gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such securities or currencies, as well as net income from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships; and (2) at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets must consist of cash, cash items, securities of other regulated investment companies, U.S. Government securities and other securities which, with respect to any one issuer, do not represent more than 5% of all of the Fund’s assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) the Fund must not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies), or of any two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and that are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

The Fund generally will endeavor to distribute (or treat as deemed distributed) to its shareholders all of its investment company taxable income and its net capital gain, if any, for each taxable year so that it will not incur federal income or excise taxes on its earnings.

 

In addition, in order to avoid a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on certain of its undistributed income, the fund generally must distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for each calendar year, (2) 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year, and (3) any income not distributed in prior years (the “excise tax avoidance requirements”). For purposes of determining whether the Fund has met this distribution requirement, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income or gains on which it has been subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

If, for any taxable year, the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company or fails to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement, all of its taxable income becomes subject to federal, and possibly state and local, income tax at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders) and distributions to its shareholders constitute taxable dividend income (with such dividend income including dividends derived from interest on tax-exempt obligations) to the extent of such Fund’s available earnings and profits.

 

Investment income received from sources within foreign countries, or capital gains earned by the Fund from investing in securities of foreign issuers, may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. In this regard, withholding tax rates in countries with which the United States does not have a tax treaty are often as high as 35% or more. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that may entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of tax or exemption from tax on this related income and gains. The effective rate of foreign tax cannot be determined at this time since the amount of these Fund’s assets to be invested within various countries is not now known. The Fund intends to seek to operate so as to qualify for treaty-reduced rates of tax when applicable.

 

In addition, if the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company under the Code, and if more than 50% of the Fund’s total assets at the close of the taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to treat foreign income taxes paid by the Fund (including certain withholding taxes) that can be treated as income taxes under U.S. income tax principles as paid by its shareholders. If the Fund makes such an election, an amount equal to the foreign income taxes paid by the Fund would be included in the income of its shareholders and the shareholders often are entitled to credit their portions of this amount against their U.S. tax liabilities, if any, or to deduct those portions from their U.S. taxable income, if any. Shortly after any year for which it makes such an election, the Fund will report to its shareholders, in writing, the amount per share of foreign tax that must be included in each shareholder’s gross income and the amount that will be available as a deduction or credit. Shareholders must itemize their deductions in order to deduct foreign taxes. Certain limitations may apply that could limit the extent to which the credit or the deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder.

 

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The Fund’s transactions in options contracts and futures contracts are subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund (that is, may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and defer losses of the Fund. These rules (1) could affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders of the Fund, (2) could require the Fund to “mark to market” certain types of the positions in its portfolio (that is, treat them as if they were closed out) and (3) may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement and the excise tax avoidance requirements described above. The Fund seeks to monitor transactions, seeks to make the appropriate tax elections and seeks to make the appropriate entries in the Fund’s books and records when the Fund acquires any option, futures contract or hedged investment, to mitigate the effect of these rules.

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”), funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital loss carryforwards retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as permitted under prior regulation.

 

Because the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, no information regarding capital loss carryforwards is available.

 

If the Fund acquires stock in certain foreign corporations that receive at least 75% of their annual gross income from passive sources (such as interest, dividends, rents, royalties or capital gain) or hold at least 50% of their total assets in investments producing such passive income (“passive foreign investment companies”), the Fund could be subject to federal income tax and additional interest charges on “excess distributions” received from such companies or gain from the sale of stock in such companies, even if all income or gain actually received by the Fund is timely distributed to its shareholders. The Fund would not be able to pass through to its shareholders any credit or deduction for such a tax. Certain elections may, if available, ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but any such election may require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain without the concurrent receipt of cash. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in passive foreign investment companies to minimize its tax liability.

 

Foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund in connection with certain transactions involving non-dollar debt securities, certain foreign currency futures contracts, foreign currency option contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Code provisions which generally treat such gains and losses as ordinary income and losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. Any such transactions that are not directly related to the Fund’s investment in securities (possibly including speculative currency positions or currency derivatives not used for hedging purposes) could, under future Treasury regulations, produce income not among the types of “qualifying income” from which the Fund must derive at least 90% of its annual gross income.

 

Investments in below investment grade instruments may present special tax issues for the Fund. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund to the extent necessary in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income that it does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

 

Pay-in-kind instruments (“PIKs”) are securities that pay interest in either cash or additional securities, at the issuer’s option, for a specified period. PIKs, like zero-coupon bonds, are designed to give an issuer flexibility in managing cash flow. PIK bonds can be either senior or subordinated debt and trade flat (i.e., without accrued interest). The price of PIK bonds is expected to reflect the market value of the underlying debt plus an amount representing accrued interest since the last payment. PIKs are usually less volatile than zero-coupon bonds, but more volatile than cash pay securities.

 

The Fund must accrue income on investments in certain PIKs, zero coupon securities or certain deferred interest securities (and, in general, any other securities with original issue discount or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in current income) must accrue income on such investments prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash. However, because the Fund must meet the 90% distribution requirement to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio investments under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to leverage itself by borrowing the cash, to satisfy the applicable distribution requirements.

 

Recent tax legislation may, pending further regulatory guidance, require the Fund to accrue currently market discount with respect to a security.

 

The tax treatment of income, gains and losses attributable to foreign currencies (and derivatives on such currencies), and various other special tax rules applicable to certain financial transactions and instruments could affect the amount, timing and character of the

 

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Fund’s distributions. In some cases, these tax rules could also result in a retroactive change in the tax character of prior distributions and may also possibly cause all, or a portion, of prior distributions to be reclassified as returns of capital for tax purposes.

 

The federal income tax rules applicable to interest rate swaps, caps and floors are unclear in certain respects, and the Fund may be required to account for these transactions in a manner that, in certain circumstances, may limit the degree to which it may use these transactions.

 

SHAREHOLDER TAXATION

 

The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the Fund and an investment in the Fund. The discussion below provides general tax information related to an investment in the Fund, but does not purport to be a complete description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Fund and does not address any state, local, non-U.S. or other tax consequences. It is based on the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder and administrative pronouncements, all as of the date of this prospectus, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a Shareholder’s particular circumstances, including (but not limited to) alternative minimum tax consequences and tax consequences applicable to Shareholders subject to special tax rules, such as certain financial institutions; dealers or traders in securities who use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting; persons holding Shares as part of a hedging transaction, wash sale, conversion transaction or integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to Shares; entities classified as partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes; insurance companies; U.S. Shareholders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; or tax-exempt entities, including “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs.” As with any taxable investment, Shareholders may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax on their income (including taxable income from the Fund), depending on their individual circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, the following discussion applies only to a Shareholder that holds Shares as a capital asset and is a U.S. Shareholder. A “U.S. Shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of Shares who is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

·an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

·a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

·an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

·a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective Shareholder that is a partner in a partnership holding Shares should consult his, her or its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares.

 

The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Tax laws are complex and often change, and Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.

 

Taxation of the Fund

 

The Fund intends to elect, to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intends to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes as dividends to Shareholders. To qualify as a RIC in any tax year, the Fund must, among other things, satisfy both a source of income test and asset diversification tests. The Fund will qualify as a RIC if (i) at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for such tax year consists of dividends; interest; payments with respect to certain securities loans; gains from the sale or other disposition of shares, securities or foreign currencies; other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or currencies; and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly-traded partnerships” (such income, “Qualifying RIC Income”); and (ii) the Fund’s holdings are diversified so that, at the end of each quarter of such tax year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash equivalents, securities of other RICs, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested (x) in securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or (y) in the securities of one or more

 

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“qualified publicly-traded partnerships.” The Fund’s share of income derived from a partnership other than a “qualified publicly-traded partnership” will be treated as Qualifying RIC Income only to the extent that such income would have constituted Qualifying RIC Income if derived directly by the Fund. A “qualified publicly-traded partnership” is generally defined as an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes if (1) interests in such entity are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (2) less than 90% of its gross income for the relevant tax year consists of Qualifying RIC Income. The Code provides that the Treasury Department may by regulation exclude from Qualifying RIC Income foreign currency gains that are not directly related to the RIC’s principal business of investing in shares or securities (or options and futures with respect to shares or securities). The Fund anticipates that, in general, its foreign currency gains will be directly related to its principal business of investing in shares and securities.

 

In addition, to maintain RIC tax treatment, the Fund must distribute on a timely basis with respect to each tax year dividends of an amount at least equal to 90% of the sum of its “investment company taxable income” and its net tax-exempt interest income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, to Shareholders (the “90% distribution requirement”). If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and satisfies the 90% distribution requirement, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its “investment company taxable income” and net capital gains (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes as dividends to Shareholders (including amounts that are reinvested pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan). In general, a RIC’s “investment company taxable income” for any tax year is its taxable income, determined without regard to net capital gains and with certain other adjustments. The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its “investment company taxable income,” net tax-exempt interest income (if any) and net capital gains on an annual basis. Any taxable income, including any net capital gains that the Fund does not distribute in a timely manner, will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates.

 

If the Fund retains any net capital gains for reinvestment, it may elect to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to Shareholders. If the Fund makes such an election, each Shareholder will be required to report its share of such undistributed net capital gains attributed to the Fund as long-term capital gain and will be entitled to claim its share of the U.S. federal income taxes paid by the Fund on such undistributed net capital gains as a credit against its own U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and to claim a refund on a properly-filed U.S. federal income tax return to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability. In addition, each Shareholder will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis of its Shares by the difference between its share of such undistributed net capital gain and the related credit. There can be no assurance that the Fund will make this election if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain for a tax year.

 

As a RIC, the Fund will be, subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on certain undistributed amounts for each calendar year (the “4% excise tax”). To avoid the 4% excise tax, the Fund must distribute in respect of each calendar year dividends of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary taxable income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) generally for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous calendar years that were not distributed during those calendar years. For purposes of determining whether the Fund has met this distribution requirement, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income or gains previously subject to U.S. federal income tax. Furthermore, any distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Shareholders, of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated for tax purposes as if it had been paid on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared. The Fund generally intends to avoid the imposition of the 4% excise tax, but there can be no assurance in this regard.

 

If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC or fails to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in respect of any tax year, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income, including its net capital gains, even if such income were distributed, and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of certain corporate Shareholders and may be eligible to be qualified dividend income in the case of certain non-corporate Shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (any of which could be subject to interest charges) before re-qualifying for taxation as a RIC. If the Fund fails to satisfy either the income test or asset diversification test described above, in certain cases, however, the Fund may be able to avoid losing its status as a RIC by timely providing notice of such failure to the IRS, curing such failure and possibly paying an additional tax or penalty.

 

Some of the investments that the Fund is expected to make, such as investments in debt instruments having market discount and/or treated as issued with “original issue discount” (“OID”), may cause the Fund to recognize income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to the receipt of any corresponding cash or other property. As a result, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the 90% distribution requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment. Because this income will be included in the Fund’s investment company taxable income for the tax year it is accrued, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to Shareholders to meet the distribution requirements described above, even though the Fund will not have received any corresponding cash or property. The Fund may be required to borrow money, dispose of other securities or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose.

 

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There may be uncertainty as to the appropriate treatment of certain of the Fund’s investments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In particular, the Fund expects to invest a portion of its net assets in below investment grade instruments. U.S. federal income tax rules with respect to such instruments are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent the Fund should recognize interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund, to the extent necessary, in connection with the Fund’s general intention to distribute sufficient income to qualify, and maintain its qualification to be subject to tax as a RIC and to minimize the risk that it becomes subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

 

Income received by the Fund from sources outside the United States may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries, thereby reducing income available to the Fund. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. The Fund generally intends to conduct its investment activities to minimize the impact of foreign taxation, but there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in this regard. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its tax year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to elect to “pass-through” to the Fund the foreign source amount of income deemed earned and the respective amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of each quarter of its tax year is represented by interests in other RICs, the Fund may elect to “pass-through” to Shareholders the foreign source amount of income deemed earned and the respective amount of foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund. If the Fund so elects, each Shareholder would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, each Shareholder’s pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the Fund, but would be treated as having paid its pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various limitations) as a foreign tax credit against federal income tax (but not both).

 

The Fund may invest in shares of foreign companies that are classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”). In general, a foreign company is considered a PFIC if at least 50% of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income. In general under the PFIC rules, an “excess distribution” received with respect to PFIC shares is treated as having been realized ratably over the period during which the Fund held the PFIC shares. The Fund generally will be subject to tax on the portion, if any, of the excess distribution that is allocated to the Fund’s holding period in prior tax years (and an interest factor will be added to the tax, as if the tax had actually been payable in such prior tax years) even though the Fund distributes the corresponding income to Shareholders. Excess distributions include any gain from the sale of PFIC shares as well as certain distributions from a PFIC. All excess distributions are taxable as ordinary income.

 

The Fund may be eligible to elect alternative tax treatment with respect to PFIC shares. Under one such election (i.e., a “QEF” election), the Fund generally would be required to include in its gross income its share of the earnings of a PFIC on a current basis, regardless of whether any distributions are received from the PFIC. If this election is made, the special rules, discussed above, relating to the taxation of excess distributions, would not apply. Alternatively, the Fund may be able to elect to mark its PFIC shares to market, resulting in any unrealized gains at the Fund’s tax year end being treated as though they were recognized and reported as ordinary income. Any mark-to-market losses and any loss from an actual disposition of the PFIC’s Shares would be deductible as ordinary losses to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains included in income in prior tax years with respect to shares in the same PFIC.

 

Because the application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the character of gains, the amount of gain or loss and the timing of the recognition of income, gain or loss with respect to PFIC shares, as well as subject the Fund itself to tax on certain income from PFIC shares, the amount that must be distributed to Fund Shareholders, and which will be recognized by Fund Shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC shares. Note that distributions from a PFIC are not eligible for the reduced rate of tax on distributions of “qualified dividend income” as discussed below.

 

Some of the CLOs in which the Fund invests may be PFICs, which are generally subject to the tax consequences described above. Investment in certain equity interests of CLOs that are subject to treatment as PFICs for U.S. federal income tax purposes may cause the Fund to recognize income in a tax year in excess of the Fund’s distributions from such CLOs, PFICs and the Fund’s proceeds from sales or other dispositions of equity interests in other CLOs and other PFICs during that tax year. As a result, the Fund generally would be required to distribute such income to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to RICs. Additionally, the IRS has issued proposed regulations that, if finalized, would generally treat the Fund’s income inclusion from an investment in a PFIC with respect to which the Fund has made a QEF election as qualifying income only if there is a distribution out of the earnings and profits of the PFIC that are attributable to such income inclusion. The proposed regulations, if adopted, would apply to taxable years beginning on or after 90 days after the regulations are published as final. If such regulations are finalized, the Fund may be restricted in its ability to make QEF elections with respect to PFICs in order to ensure the Fund qualifies as a RIC.

 

If the Fund holds more than 10% of the interests treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a foreign corporation that is treated as a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”), including equity tranche investments and certain debt tranche investments in a

 

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CLO treated as CFC, the Fund may be treated as receiving a deemed distribution (taxable as ordinary income) each tax year from such foreign corporation of an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the foreign corporation’s earnings for such tax year (including both ordinary earnings and capital gains), whether or not the corporation makes an actual distribution to the Fund during such tax year. This deemed distribution is required to be included in the income of certain U.S. shareholders of a CFC, such as the Fund, regardless of whether a U.S. shareholder has made a QEF election with respect to such CFC. The Fund is generally required to distribute such income in order to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to RICs, even to the extent the Fund’s income from a CFC exceeds the distributions from the CFC and the Fund’s proceeds from the sales or other dispositions of CFC stock during that tax year. In general, a foreign corporation will be treated as a CFC for U.S. federal income tax purposes if more than 50% of the shares of the foreign corporation, measured by reference to combined voting power or value, is owned (directly, indirectly or by attribution) by U.S. Shareholders. A “U.S. Shareholder,” for this purpose, is any U.S. person that possesses (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the combined value or voting power of all classes of shares of a corporation. Additionally, the IRS has issued proposed regulations that, if finalized, would generally treat a fund’s income inclusion with respect to a CFC as qualifying income only if there is a distribution out of the earnings and profits of the CFC that are attributable to such income inclusion. The proposed regulations, if adopted, would apply to taxable years beginning on or after 90 days after the regulations are published as final. If such regulations are finalized, we may limit and/or manage our holdings in issuers that could be treated as CFCs.

 

The functional currency of the Fund, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is the U.S. dollar. Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that occur between the time the Fund accrues interest income or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities generally are respectively characterized as ordinary income or ordinary loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Similarly, on the sale of other disposition of certain investments, including debt securities, certain forward contracts, as well as other derivative financial instruments, denominated in a foreign currency, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also are generally treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains and losses, referred to under the Code as “section 988” gains and losses, may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income subject to distribution to Fund Shareholders as ordinary income. For example, fluctuations in exchange rates may increase the amount of income that the Fund must distribute to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and to prevent application of an excise tax on undistributed income. Alternatively, fluctuations in exchange rates may decrease or eliminate income available for distribution. If section 988 losses exceed other investment company taxable income during a tax year, the Fund would not be able to distribute amounts considered dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and any distributions during a tax year made by the Fund before such losses were recognized would be re-characterized as a return of capital to Fund Shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, rather than as ordinary dividend income, and would reduce the Fund Shareholder’s tax basis in Fund Shares.

 

If the Fund uses leverage through the issuance of preferred Shares or borrowings, it will be prohibited from declaring a distribution or dividend if it would fail the applicable asset coverage test(s) under the 1940 Act after the payment of such distribution or dividend. In addition, certain covenants in credit facilities or indentures may impose greater restrictions on the Fund’s ability to declare and pay dividends on Fund Shares. Limits on the Fund’s ability to pay dividends on Fund Shares may prevent the Fund from meeting the distribution requirements described above and, as a result, may affect the Fund’s ability to be subject to tax as a RIC or subject the Fund to the 4% excise tax. The Fund endeavors to avoid restrictions on its ability to make distribution payments. If the Fund is precluded from making distributions on Fund Shares because of any applicable asset coverage requirements, the terms of preferred Shares (if any) may provide that any amounts so precluded from being distributed, but required to be distributed by the Fund to enable the Fund to satisfy the distribution requirements that would enable the Fund to be subject to tax as a RIC, will be paid to the holders of preferred Shares as a special distribution. This distribution can be expected to decrease the amount that holders of preferred Shares would be entitled to receive upon repurchase or liquidation of such preferred Shares.

 

Certain of the Fund’s investments are expected to be subject to special U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (1) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (2) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gains into higher-taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (3) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss, the deductibility of which is more limited, (4) adversely affect when a purchase or sale of shares or securities is deemed to occur, (5) adversely alter the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions, (6) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (7) treat dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income as non-qualified dividend income, (8) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction as ineligible for such treatment and (9) produce income that will not constitute Qualifying RIC Income. The application of these rules could cause the Fund to be subject to U.S. federal income tax or the 4% excise tax and, under certain circumstances, could affect the Fund’s status as a RIC. The Fund monitors its investments and may make certain tax elections to mitigate the effect of these provisions.

 

The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund has qualified and maintain its qualification as a RIC and has satisfied the distribution requirements described above.

 

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Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

 

Distributions

 

Distributions of the Fund’s ordinary income and net short-term capital gains will, except as described below with respect to distributions of “qualified dividend income,” generally be taxable to Shareholders as ordinary income to the extent such distributions are paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Distributions (or deemed distributions, as described above), if any, of net capital gains will be taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time a Shareholder has owned Shares. The ultimate tax characterization of the Fund’s distributions made in a tax year cannot be determined until after the end of the tax year. As a result, the Fund may make total distributions during a tax year in an amount that exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a Shareholder as a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce the Shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the Shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares, the excess will be treated as gain from a sale or exchange of Shares. Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or invested in additional Shares. Generally, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a Shareholder receiving Shares under the dividend reinvestment plan will generally be treated as having received a distribution equal to the fair market value of such Shares on the date the Shares are credited to the Shareholder’s account.

 

A return of capital to Shareholders is a return of a portion of their original investment in the Fund, thereby reducing the tax basis of their investment. As a result from such reduction in tax basis, Shareholders may be subject to tax in connection with the sale of Fund Shares, even if such Shares are sold at a loss relative to the Shareholder’s original investment.

 

It is expected that a substantial portion of the Fund’s income will consist of ordinary income. For example, interest and OID derived by the Fund characterized as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, gain derived by the Fund from the disposition of debt instruments with “market discount” (generally, securities with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance acquired by the Fund at a price below the lesser of their stated redemption price at maturity or accreted value, in the case of securities with OID) will be characterized as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of the market discount that has accrued, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, at the time of such disposition, unless the Fund makes an election to accrue market discount on a current basis. In addition, certain of the Fund’s investments will be subject to other special U.S. federal income tax provisions that may affect the character, increase the amount and/or accelerate the timing of distributions to Shareholders.

 

Distributions made by the Fund to a corporate Shareholder will qualify for the dividends-received deduction only to the extent that the distributions consist of qualifying dividends received by the Fund. In addition, any portion of the Fund’s dividends otherwise qualifying for the dividends-received deduction will be disallowed or reduced if the corporate Shareholder fails to satisfy certain requirements, including a holding period requirement, with respect to its Shares. Distributions of “qualified dividend income” to an individual or other non-corporate Shareholder will be treated as “qualified dividend income” to such Shareholder and generally will be taxed at long-term capital gain rates, provided the Shareholder satisfies the applicable holding period and other requirements. “Qualified dividend income” generally includes dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from foreign corporations that meet certain specified criteria. Given the Fund’s investment strategy, it is not expected that a significant portion of the distributions made by the Fund will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the reduced rates applicable to “qualified dividend income.”

 

If a person acquires Shares shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the Shares may include the value of the distribution, and the person will be subject to tax on the distribution even though economically it may represent a return of his, her or its investment in such Shares.

 

Distributions paid by the Fund generally will be treated as received by a Shareholder at the time the distribution is made. However, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a distribution that is paid during the following tax year as if it had been paid during the tax year in which the income or gains supporting the distribution was earned. If the Fund makes such an election, the Shareholder will still be treated as receiving the distribution in the tax year in which the distribution is received. In this instance, however, any distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated for tax purposes as if it had been received by Shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared.

 

Shareholders will be notified annually, as promptly as practicable after the end of each calendar year, as to the U.S. federal tax status of distributions, and Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional Shares will receive a report as to the NAV of those Shares.

 

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Sale or Exchange of Shares

 

The repurchase or transfer of Shares may result in a taxable gain or loss to the tendering Shareholder. Different tax consequences may apply for tendering and non-tendering Shareholders in connection with a repurchase offer. For example, if a Shareholder does not tender all of his or her Shares, such repurchase may be treated as a dividend (as opposed to a sale or exchange) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and may result in deemed distributions to non-tendering Shareholders. On the other hand, Shareholders holding Shares as capital assets who tender all of their Shares (including Shares deemed owned by Shareholders under constructive ownership rules) will be treated as having sold their Shares and generally will recognize capital gain or loss. The amount of the gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the amount received for the Shares and the Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the relevant Shares. Such gain or loss generally will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the Shareholder has held such Shares as capital assets for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.

 

Losses realized by a Shareholder on the sale or exchange of Shares held as capital assets for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital gains received (or deemed received, as discussed above) with respect to such Shares. In addition, no loss will be allowed on a sale or other disposition of Shares if the Shareholder acquires (including through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) Shares, or enters into a contract or option to acquire Shares, within 30 days before or after any disposition of such Shares at a loss. In such a case, the basis of the Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Under current law, net capital gains recognized by non-corporate Shareholders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax at lower rates than the rates applicable to ordinary income.

 

In general, U.S. Shareholders currently are generally subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of either 15% or 20% (depending on whether the Shareholder’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts) on their net capital gain (i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gains over realized net short-term capital losses), including any long-term capital gain derived from an investment in Shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. Shareholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 21% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate Shareholders with net capital losses for a tax year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each tax year. Any net capital losses of a non-corporate Shareholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent tax years as provided in the Code. Corporate Shareholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a tax year, but may carry back such losses for three tax years or carry forward such losses for five tax years.

 

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from repurchases or other taxable dispositions of Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts. U.S. persons that are individuals, estates or trusts are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax to their income and gains in respect of their investment in the Fund.

 

The Fund (or if a U.S. Shareholder holds Shares through an intermediary, such intermediary) will send to each of its U.S. Shareholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice detailing, on a per Share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in such U.S. Shareholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the IRS, including the amount of distributions, if any, eligible for the preferential maximum rate generally applicable to long-term capital gains. Distributions paid by the Fund generally will not be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends because the Fund’s income generally will not consist of dividends. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. Shareholder’s particular situation.

 

Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a Shareholder recognizes losses with respect to Shares of $2 million or more for an individual Shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate Shareholder, the Shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct Shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

Reporting of adjusted cost basis information is required for covered securities, which generally include shares of a RIC acquired after January 1, 2012, to the IRS and to taxpayers. Shareholders should contact their financial intermediaries with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.

 

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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on Shares and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of Shares. A Shareholder will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments if it fails to provide the payor with its correct taxpayer identification number (generally, in the case of a U.S. resident Shareholder, on an IRS Form W-9) and to make required certifications or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Corporate Shareholders and certain other Shareholders generally are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against the applicable Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

 

Whether an investment in the Fund is appropriate for a non-U.S. Shareholder (as defined below) will depend upon that investor’s particular circumstances. An investment in the Fund by a non-U.S. Shareholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors before investing in Shares.

 

The U.S. federal income taxation of a Shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate or a foreign corporation, as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a “non-U.S. Shareholder”), depends on whether the income that the Shareholder derives from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the Shareholder.

 

If the income that a non-U.S. Shareholder derives from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such non-U.S. Shareholder, distributions of “investment company taxable income” (including any deemed distributions with respect to a repurchase offer) will generally be subject to a U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate provided under an applicable treaty). Alternatively, if the income that a non-U.S. Shareholder derives from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. Shareholder, the Fund will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the non-U.S. Shareholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, although such income will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the manner described below and at the rates applicable to U.S. residents. Backup withholding will not, however, be applied to payments that have been subject to this 30% withholding tax applicable to non-U.S. Shareholders.

 

A non-U.S. Shareholder whose income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business will generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on capital gains distributions, any amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of Shares. If, however, such a non-U.S. Shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for 183 days or more during the tax year and meets certain other requirements such capital gains distributions, undistributed capital gains and gains from the sale or exchange of Shares will be subject to a 30% U.S. tax.

 

Furthermore, properly designated distributions by the Fund and received by non-U.S. Shareholders are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax when they (a) are paid by the Fund in respect of the Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (i.e., the Fund’s U.S. source interest income, subject to certain exceptions, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income), or (b) are paid by the Fund in connection with the Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gains over the Fund’s long-term capital losses for such tax year). However, depending on the circumstances, the Fund may designate all, some or none of the Fund’s potentially eligible distributions as derived from such qualified net interest income or from such qualified short-term capital gains, and a portion of such distributions (e.g., derived from interest from non-U.S. sources or any foreign currency gains) would be ineligible for this potential exemption from withholding. Moreover, in the case of Shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld amounts even if the Fund reported all or a portion of a distribution as exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax. To qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. Shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. tax residency status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8IMY or IRS Form W-8EXP, or an acceptable substitute or successor form). Thus, an investment in the Shares by a non-U.S. Shareholder may have adverse tax consequences as compared to a direct investment in the assets in which the Fund will invest.

 

If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a non-U.S. Shareholder, any distributions of “investment company taxable income,” capital gains distributions, amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of Shares will be subject to U.S. income tax, on a net income basis, in the same manner, and at the graduated rates applicable to, U.S. persons. If such a non-U.S. Shareholder is a corporation, it may also be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax.

 

A non-U.S. Shareholder other than a corporation may be subject to backup withholding on net capital gains distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax or on distributions that would otherwise be taxable at a reduced treaty rate if such Shareholder does not certify its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establish an exemption.

 

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If the Fund distributes net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a non-U.S. Shareholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the Shareholder’s allocable share of the tax the Fund pays on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. To obtain the refund, the non-U.S. Shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. Shareholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a federal income tax return.

 

Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Code, withholding of U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) is required on payments of taxable dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements in the Code designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.

 

The tax consequences to a non-U.S. Shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Non-U.S. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund, including the potential application of the U.S. estate tax.

 

Other Taxes

 

Under a Notice issued by the IRS, the Code and Treasury regulations to be issued, a portion of the Fund’s income from a U.S. REIT that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMICs”) or equity interests in a “taxable mortgage pool” (referred to in the Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. The excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as the Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest or, if applicable, taxable mortgage pool directly.

 

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income to entities (including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) plans, Keogh plans or other tax-exempt entities) subject to tax on unrelated business income (“UBTI”), thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign stockholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. In addition, if at any time during any taxable year a “disqualified organization” (which generally includes certain cooperatives, governmental entities, and tax-exempt organizations not subject to UBTI) is a record holder of a share in a regulated investment company, then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax equal to that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to the disqualified organization, multiplied by the highest federal income tax rate imposed on corporations. The Notice imposes certain reporting requirements upon regulated investment companies that have excess inclusion income. There can be no assurance that the Fund will not allocate to shareholders excess inclusion income.

 

These rules are potentially applicable to the Fund with respect to any income it receives from the equity interests of certain mortgage pooling vehicles, either directly or through an investment in a U.S. REIT.

 

Shareholders may be subject to state, local and non-U.S. taxes applicable to their investment in the Fund. In those states or localities, entity-level tax treatment and the treatment of distributions made to Shareholders under those jurisdictions’ tax laws may differ from the treatment under the Code. Accordingly, an investment in Shares may have tax consequences for Shareholders that are different from those of a direct investment in the Fund’s portfolio investments. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

As of the date of this SAI, the Fund had not commenced operations, and, therefore, the officers and trustees of the Trust as a group beneficially owned no shares of the Fund and, as of that date, no such person held an interest in the Fund equal to 5% or more of outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

As of June 30, 2019, no person or entity owned 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Control is defined by the 1940 Act as the beneficial ownership, either directly or through one or more controlled companies, of more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund. A control person may be able to take actions regarding the Fund it controls without the consent or approval of other shareholders

 

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OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

TRANSFER AGENT

 

HASCO, located at 690 Lee Road, Wayne, PA 19087, is the transfer agent for the Fund. As transfer agent, HASCO, among other things, receives and processes purchase orders and repurchase requests, effects transfers of shares, prepares and transmits payments for dividends and distributions, maintains records of account, and provides oversight of service providers and financial intermediaries providing sub-transfer agency, sub-accounting, and similar shareholder services on behalf of Fund shareholders. An Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement provides the terms pursuant to which HASCO provides such services to the Fund and the terms pursuant to which the Fund pays compensation to HASCO for providing such services. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between HASCO and DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (“DST”), HASCO has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder servicing agent functions to DST. DST is located at 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA 02169. In addition to DST, HASCO may also designate other service providers as sub-agent to perform or provide shareholder services for the Fund, provided that such sub-agents do not provide distribution services for the Fund.

 

In addition, HASCO designates certain financial intermediaries that maintain Fund shareholder accounts in either an omnibus or networked arrangement with HASCO. Under these arrangements, the financial intermediaries may provide both distribution services and sub-transfer agency (non-distribution) services. The Fund pays HASCO a transfer agency fee payable monthly based on the lesser of (i) the costs of providing or overseeing transfer agency services provided to each share class of the Fund plus a target profit margin or (ii) a Specified Amount (as defined below). Such fee is intended to compensate HASCO for: (i) fees payable by HASCO to DST (and any other designated sub-agent) according to the agreed-upon fee schedule under the sub-transfer agency agreement between HASCO and DST (or between HASCO and any other designated sub-agent, as applicable); (ii) sub-transfer agency fees payable by HASCO to financial intermediaries, according to the agreed-upon terms between HASCO and the financial intermediaries, provided that such payments are within certain limits approved by the Board of Trustees; (iii) certain expenses that HASCO’s parent company, Hartford Funds Management Group, Inc., allocates to HASCO that relate to HASCO’s transfer agency services provided to the Fund; and (iv) a target profit margin.

 

Share Class Specified Amount (as a percentage average daily net assets)
Class A [x.xxx]%
Class I [x.xxx]%
Class SDR [x.xxx]%

 

The Fund does not pay any fee directly to DST (or any other sub-agent of HASCO) or to financial intermediaries for providing sub-transfer agency services; rather, HASCO makes all such payments to DST (any other designated sub-agent) and financial intermediaries. [In some cases, HFMC and/or its affiliates may make additional compensation payments out of their own assets (and not as an expense of the Fund) to financial intermediaries – please see the sub-section titled “DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS – ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES” for more information.]

 

Custodian

 

Portfolio securities of the Fund are held pursuant to a Custodian Agreement between the Fund and State Street Bank and Trust Company, 500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64105.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

_______________ will serve as the Fund’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019_________________ is located at ________________________________________.

 

Distributor

 

Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC (“HFD”) serves as the principal underwriter for the Fund pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement initially approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. HFD is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). HFD’s principal business address is 690 Lee Road, Wayne, PA 19087. HFD is an indirect subsidiary of The Hartford. The Hartford may be deemed to control HFD through its indirect ownership of HFD.

 

Shares of the Fund are continuously offered and sold by selected broker-dealers who have selling agreements with HFD. [Except as discussed below under “Distribution Plans,”] HFD bears all the expenses of providing services pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, including expenses relating to the distribution of prospectuses for sales purposes and any advertising or sales literature. The Underwriting Agreement continues in effect for two years from initial approval and for successive one-year periods thereafter,

 

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provided that each such continuance is specifically approved (1) by the vote of a majority of the trustees of the Fund, including a majority of the trustees who are not parties to the Underwriting Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or (2) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. HFD is not obligated to sell any specific amount of shares of the Fund.

 

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DISTRIBUTION PLAN

 

The Board has approved the adoption of a distribution plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for Class A shares. HFD or its affiliates are entitled to retain all service fees payable for which there is no dealer of record or for which qualification standards have not been met as partial consideration for personal services and/or account maintenance services performed by HFD or its affiliates for shareholder accounts.

 

CLASS A PLAN. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund may pay HFD a fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution financing activities and shareholder account servicing activities. The entire amount of the fee may be used for shareholder servicing expenses and/or distribution expenses. As discussed in the Prospectus, HFD may pay dealers of record commissions on purchases over $1 million. HFD may retain the 12b-1 fee paid by the Fund with respect to such shares for the first year after purchase. For purchases at NAV where HFD paid a commission, dealers may start to receive the 12b-1 fee in the thirteenth month after purchase. For purchases at NAV where HFD did not pay a commission, dealers may start to receive the 12b-1 fee at the time of purchase.

 

GENERAL. Distribution fees paid to HFD may be spent on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of the Fund’s shares including, but not limited to: (a) payment of initial and ongoing commissions and other compensation payments to brokers, dealers, financial institutions or others who sell the Fund’s shares; (b) compensation to employees of HFD; (c) compensation to and expenses, including overhead such as communications and telephone, training, supplies, photocopying and similar types of expenses, of HFD incurred in the printing and mailing or other dissemination of all prospectuses and statements of additional information; and (d) the costs of preparation, printing and mailing reports used for sales literature and related expenses, advertisements and other distribution related expenses (including personnel of HFD). Service fees paid under the Plan are payments for the provision of personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The Plan is considered a compensation type plan, which means that the Fund pays HFD the entire fee regardless of HFD’s expenditures. Even if HFD’s actual expenditures exceed the fee payable to HFD at any given time, the Fund will not be obligated to pay more than that fee. If HFD’s actual expenditures are less than the fee payable to HFD at any given time, HFD may realize a profit from the arrangement.

 

In accordance with the terms of the Plan, HFD provides to the Fund, for review by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, a quarterly written report of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made. In its quarterly review of the Plans, the Fund’s Board of Trustees reviews the level of compensation the Plans provide.

 

The Plan was adopted by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, including at least a majority of trustees who are not, and were not at the time they voted, interested persons of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act and do not and did not have any direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. In approving the Plan, the trustees identified and considered a number of potential benefits that the Plan may provide to the Fund and its shareholders, including shareholder servicing, the potential to increase assets and possibly benefit from economies of scale, the potential to avoid a decrease in assets through repurchase activity, the ability to sell shares of the Fund through adviser and broker distribution channels, and the ability to provide investors with an alternative to paying front end sales loads. The Board of Trustees of the Fund believes that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and its current and future shareholders. Under its terms, the Plan remains in effect from year to year provided such continuance is approved annually by vote of the trustees of the Fund in the manner described above. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for distribution without approval of the shareholders of the Fund affected by the increase, and material amendments to the Plan must also be approved by the Board of Trustees in the manner described above. A Plan may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of the majority of the trustees of the Board who are not interested persons of the Fund and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Plan, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant Fund. The Plan will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

 

Because the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, no information regarding the 12b-1 fees paid by the Fund is available.

 

COMMISSIONS TO DEALERS

 

Because the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, there is no information regarding the aggregate dollar amount of commissions received by HFD for the sale of Fund shares. However, HFD does not receive any front-end sales commissions or CDSCs in connection with the sale of Classes I and SDR shares.

 

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES. As stated in the prospectus under Payments to Financial Intermediaries and Other Entities, HFMC and/or its affiliates make additional compensation payments out of their own assets and not as an expense to or out of the assets of the Fund to Financial Intermediaries to support the sale of the Hartford Funds’ shares (“Additional Payments”). These Additional Payments, which are in addition to commissions, Rule 12b-1

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fees, Administrative Fees and Servicing Payments (as defined in the prospectus), and which may be paid to such Financial Intermediary in its capacity as a Servicing Intermediary, may create an incentive for your Financial Intermediary to sell and recommend the Hartford Funds over other products for which it may receive less compensation. You may contact your Financial Intermediary if you want information regarding the payments it receives.

 

In addition to the Financial Intermediaries listed in each Hartford Fund’s prospectus, listed below are all Financial Intermediaries that received Additional Payments with at least a $500 value in 2018 for items such as sponsorship of meetings, education seminars and travel and entertainment, whether or not an ongoing contractual relationship exists: ADP Broker-Dealer; Adcock Financial Group; Affinity Wealth Management, Inc.; Allen & Company; Alliant Insurance Services; American Bankers Association; American Financial Advisors; American Portfolios Financial Services; Ameriprise Financial Services; Ameritas Investment Corp; Ascende Wealth Advisors Inc.; Ascensus Financial Services LLC; Asset International, Inc.; Axa Advisors, LLC; Bay Colony Advisors; Bay Mutual Financial, LLC; B.C. Ziegler and Company; BB&T Retirement and Institutional Services; BB&T Securities; Benjamin F. Edwards & Co., Inc.; Bernardo Wealth Planning LLC; Berthel, Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc.; Blue Water Asset Management; BMO Harris Financial Advisors; Boston Private Wealth Partners, LLC; Bristol Financial Services Inc.; Cadaret Grant & Co Inc.; Callan Associates Inc.; Calton & Associates; Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.; Capfinancial Securities, LLC; Capital Asset Advisory Services LLC; Capital Investment Advisors Inc.; Cetera Investment Services LLC; Centaurus Financial Inc.; Cetera Advisors LLC; Cetera Advisor Networks LLC; CFD Investments; CFO4LIFE L.P.; Channel Financial; Charles Schwab & Company, Inc.; Chepenik Financial; Citigroup Global Markets Inc.; Clearview Advisory; Commonwealth Equity Services, Inc.; Commonwealth Financial Network; Concert Wealth Management; Consolidated Planning Corp; Copperwynd Financial, LLC; Cuna Brokerage Services; Cuso Financial Services; D.A. Davidson & Company; Davenport & Co. LLC; Decota Wealth Management LLC; Delta Financial Group; Dime Bank; Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.; Edward D. Jones & Co.; Empower Retirement; Encompass Wealth Advisors, LLC; Enso Wealth Management, LLC; Envestnet Asset Management Inc.; Equity Services Inc.; Executive Wealth Management, LLC; Fairhaven Wealth Management, LLC; Federated Investors, Inc.; FGMK Centric Wealth Management; Fidelity Brokerage Services; Fifth Third Securities, Inc.; First Command Financial Planning, Inc.; First Financial Equity Corporation; First Interstate Bank; First Republic Securities Company LLC; Frost Brokerage Services Inc.; FSC Securities Corporation; Garden State Securities, Inc.; GBS Retirement Services, Inc.; Geneos Wealth Management, Inc.; Goldman, Sachs & Co.; Great Lakes & Atlantic Wealth Management and Advisory Partners; Guardian Life Insurance; GWFS Equities, Inc.; GWN Securities, Inc.; H. Beck Inc.; H.D. Vest Investment Securities, Inc.; Halliday Financial LLC; Hartford Funds Distributors; Hefren-Tillotson, Inc.; Heim, Young & Associates, Inc; Henderson Brothers Retirement Plan Services; Hightower Advisors; Hilliard Lyons; Horner, Townsend & Kent, Inc.; Hyas Group; IFC Holdings, Inc.; Independent Financial Group, LLC; Infinex Investment, Inc.; Information Management Network; Institutional Securities Corporation; Investors Capital Corp.; Janney Montgomery Scott LLC; John Hancock Retirement Plan Services; JPMorgan Securities, LLC; J.W. Cole Financial, Inc.; Kestra Investment Services, LLC; KMS Financial Services, Inc.; KGE Wealth Management; KNS; Kraematon Investment Advisors, Inc.; Legacy Financial Advisors, Inc.; Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.; Lincoln Financial Distributors Inc.; Lincoln Financial Group—Retirement Plan Services; Lincoln Financial Securities Corp.; Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc.; Lockton Companies, Inc.; Lockton Investment Advisors, LLC; Lockton Retirement Services; LPL Financial; M Holdings Securities, Inc.; M&T Securities Inc.; Mainstay Capital Management; MassMutual Retirement Services; McLaughlin Ryder Investments Inc.; Means Investment Company, Inc.; Mercer Investment Consulting, LLC.; Merrill Lynch; Mid Atlantic Financial Management, Inc; MMA Securities Inc.; MMC Securities Corp.; MML Distributors, LLC; Moloney Securities Co., Inc.; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Morningstar, Inc.; Mutual Securities Inc.; National Planning Corporation; Navigate; Next Financial Group Inc.; NextShares; NFP Advisor Services, LLC; NFP Retirement; Northwestern Mutual Investment Services; OneAmerica Securities, Inc.; Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.; Palatine Hill Wealth Management; Patriot Leadership Development; Pensionmark Financial Group LLC; Petso Financial Consultants LLC; Pershing LLC; Pinnacle Investments, LLC; Pioneer Investment Management; Planmember Securities Corporation; Planning Capital Management Corp.; Portfolio Evaluations, Inc.; Principal Financial Group; Procyon Private Wealth Partners LLC; Pruco Securities, LLC; Prudential Retirement; Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments; Questar Capital Corporation; Quintes Financial Services LLC; Raymond James & Associates, Inc.; Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.; RBC Capital Markets; RBC Wealth Management; Regions Bank; Retirement Benefits Group; Retirement Plan Advisory Group; Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc.; Rogan & Associates, Inc.; Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.; SagePoint Financial, Inc.; Sageview Advisory Group, LLC; SBC Wealth Management; Scarborough Capital Management Inc.; Schroder Fund Advisors, LLC; Scott & Stringfellow, LLC; Securities America, Inc.; Securities Service Network, Inc; Segal Marco Advisors; Sentry Life Insurance Co.; Shook Research; Sigma Financial Corporation; Signator Investors Inc.; Spectrum Investment Advisors Inc.; Stancorp Investment Advisers, Inc.; Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc.; Stiles Financial Services, Inc.; Stockcross Financial Services, Inc.; Stout Bowman & Associates; Strategic Retirement Plan Consultants, Inc.; SunTrust Investment Services; T. Rowe Price Investment Services Inc; T2 Asset Management, LLC; Taurum Retirement Partners, LLC; TD Ameritrade, Inc.; Ten Capital Investment Advisors, LLC; The PFE Group; The Wiley Group; Thoroughbred Financial Services, LLC; Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc.; Transamerica Capital, Inc.; Transamerica Retirement Solutions; Triad Advisors, Inc.; U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc; UBS Financial Services, Inc.; Umpqua Investments, Inc.; Unionbanc Investment Services LLC; United Planners Financial Services; US Bancorp Investments, Inc.; Usca Securities LLC; USI Securities, Inc.; Voya Financial Advisors; Waddell & Reed Inc.; Wagner Wealth Management LLC; Wealth Management Advisors LLC; Wedbush Morgan Securities Inc.; Wellington Management Company; Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC; Wells Fargo Clearing Services; West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office; Westfield Financial Planning; WFG Investments, Inc.; Whartonhill Investment Advisors; White Oak Advisors;

 

73

 

 

Whitewater Wealth; William Blair & Co. LLC; William McNeer Private Advisor Group; Woloshin Investment Management LLC; Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.; WWK Investments, Inc.

 

74

 

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

Code of Ethics

 

The Fund, HFMC, HFD and the sub-adviser have each adopted a code of ethics designed to protect the interests of the Fund’s shareholders. Under each code of ethics, personnel subject to the code are permitted to trade securities for their own account, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, subject to certain restrictions. Each code of ethics has been filed with the SEC and may be viewed by the public.

 

Registration Statement

 

This SAI and the Prospectus do not contain all the information included in the Fund’s registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered hereby. The registration statement, including the exhibits filed therewith, are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Statements contained herein and in the Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other documents are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, are qualified by, reference to the copy of such contract or other documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Fund’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, together with the notes thereto, and reports of the Fund’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm will be available in the Fund’s annual report once the Fund has completed its first annual fiscal period.

 

The Fund’s Annual Reports and Semi-Annual Reports will be available without charge by calling the Fund at 1-888-843-7824 or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.hartfordfunds.com or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

75

 

 

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(1)   Financial Statements
     
    Part A: Not applicable, as Registrant has not yet commenced operations
     
    Part B: Not applicable, as Registrant has not yet commenced operations
     
(2)   Exhibits:
     
  (a) (1) Certificate of Trust dated February 22, 2019 (filed herewith)
     
(i)Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Trust dated July 10, 2019 (filed herewith)

 

    (2) Declaration of Trust dated February 22, 2019 (filed herewith)
     
(i)Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated July 10, 2019 (filed herewith)

 

  (b) By-Laws*
     
  (c) Not applicable.
     
  (d) Not applicable.
     
  (e) Dividend Reinvestment Plan*
     
  (f) Not applicable.
     
  (g) (1) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC*
     
    (2) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC and Schroder Investment Management North America Inc.*
     
  (h) Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and Hartford Funds Distributor, LLC*
     
  (i) Not applicable.
     
  (j) Custodian Agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company*
     
  (k) (1) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with Hartford Administrative Services Company*
     
    (2) Fund Accounting Agreement with Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC*
     
    (3) Expense Limitation Agreement*
     
    (4) Securities Lending Agreement*
     
  (l) Opinion and Consent of Counsel*
     
  (m) Not applicable.
     
  (n) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*
     
  (o) Not applicable.
     
  (p) Subscription Agreement
     
  (q) Not applicable.
     
  (r) (1) Code of Ethics of the Registrant, Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC and Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC*

 

 

 

 

    (2) Code of Ethics of Schroders Investment Management North America Inc.*
     
  (s) Power of Attorney*

 

* To be filed by subsequent amendment.

 

Item 26. Marketing Arrangements

 

Reference is made to the form of the Distribution Agreement, which is to be filed by amendment.

 

Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

[●]

 

Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant

 

To be filed by amendment.

 

Item 29. Number of Holder of Securities

 

As of [●], 2019:

 

Title of Class Number of Record Holders
   

 

Item 30. Indemnification

 

Reference is made to Section 3 of Article VII of the Declaration of Trust (“Declaration”) for the Registrant (also, the “Trust”).  All section references below are to those contained in the Declaration.

 

(a)         For purposes of this Section 3 and Section 5 of this Article VII and any related provisions of the By-laws, “Agent” means any Person who is, was or becomes an employee or other agent of the Trust who is not a “Covered Person” (as defined below); “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including appeals); and “liabilities” and “expenses” include, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and all other liabilities whatsoever.

 

(b)         Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in this Section, as well as any procedural requirements set forth in the By-Laws:

 

(i)       every person who is, has been, or becomes a Trustee or officer of the Trust (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against any and all liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred or paid by them in connection with the defense of any Proceeding in which they become involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of their being or having been such a Trustee or officer, and against amounts paid or incurred by them in the settlement thereof;

 

(ii)      every Person who is, has been, or becomes an Agent of the Trust may, upon due approval of the Trustees (including a majority of the Trustees who are not Interested Persons of the Trust), be indemnified by the Trust, to the fullest extent permitted by law, against any and all liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred or paid by them in connection with the defense of any Proceeding in which they become involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of their being or having been an Agent, and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in the settlement thereof;

 

(iii)     every Person who is serving or has served at the request of the Trust as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent or fiduciary of another domestic or foreign corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or employee benefit plan (“Other Position”) and who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding by reason of alleged acts or omissions while acting within the scope of his or her service in such Other Position, may, upon due approval of the Trustees (including a majority of the Trustees who are not Interested Persons of the Trust), be indemnified by the Trust, to the fullest extent permitted by law, against any and all liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred or paid by them in connection with the defense of any Proceeding in which they become involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of their being or having held such Other Position, and against amounts paid or incurred by them in the settlement thereof;

 

 

 

 

(c)         Without limitation of the foregoing and subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth in this Section, as well as any procedural requirements set forth in the By-Laws, the Trust shall indemnify each Covered Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding, by reason of alleged acts or omissions within the scope of their service as a Covered Person, against judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually incurred by them in connection with such proceeding to the maximum extent consistent with state law and the 1940 Act.

 

(d)         No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to any Person who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought: (i) to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their office (collectively, “Disabling Conduct”) or (ii) not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Trust.

 

(e)         With respect to any Proceeding disposed of (whether by settlement, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise) without an adjudication by the court or other body before which the Proceeding was brought, no indemnification shall be provided to a Trustee, officer, Agent or other Person unless there has been a dismissal of the Proceeding by the court or other body before which it was brought for insufficiency of evidence of any Disabling Conduct with which such Trustee, officer, Agent or other Person has been charged or a determination that such Trustee, officer, Agent or other Person did not engage in Disabling Conduct:

 

(i)       by the court or other body before which the Proceeding was brought;

 

(ii)      by at least a majority of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor are parties to the Proceeding based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or

 

(iii)     by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry).

 

(f)          The Trust’s financial obligations arising from the indemnification provided herein or in the By-Laws: (i) may be insured by policies maintained by the Trust; (ii) shall be severable; (iii) shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Person may now or hereafter be entitled; and (iv) shall continue as to a Person who has ceased to be subject to indemnification as provided in this Section as to acts or omissions that occurred while the Person was indemnified as provided herein and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such Person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel, other than Covered Persons, may be entitled, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.

 

(g)         Expenses of a Person entitled to indemnification hereunder in connection with the defense of any Proceeding of the character described in paragraphs (a) and (b) above may be advanced by the Trust or Series from time to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Person that such amount will be paid over by him or her to the Trust or Series if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 3; provided, however, that either (i) such Person shall have provided appropriate security for such undertaking, (ii) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such advance payments, or (iii) either a majority of the Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the matter, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry or full investigation), that there is reason to believe that such Person will be found entitled to indemnification under Section 3.

 

The Registrant’s various agreements with its service providers provide for indemnification.

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

 

Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC (“HFMC”) serves as investment adviser to the series of the Registrant. The executive officers of HFMC are listed in the investment adviser registration on Form ADV for HFMC (File No. 801-77209) and are hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto.  The business and other connections of a substantial nature of each executive officer are given below.

 

Name Position with HFMC (1) Other Business
James E. Davey Senior Managing Director, Chairman of the Board, President and Manager Executive Vice President of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (2) (“The Hartford”); Senior Managing Director, Chairman of the Board and Manager of Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC (3) (“HFD”); President, Senior Managing Director, Director and Chairman of the Board of Hartford Administrative Services Company (4) (“HASCO”); President, Director, Chairman and Senior Managing Director of the Hartford Funds Management Group, Inc. (5) (“HFMG”); and President, Chairman of the Board and Manager of Lattice Strategies LLC (6) (“Lattice”)
Walter F. Garger Secretary, Managing Director and General Counsel Secretary, Managing Director and General Counsel of HFD, HASCO and HFMG; and Secretary and General Counsel of Lattice

 

 

 

  

Name Position with HFMC (1) Other Business
Vernon J. Meyer Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director Managing Director of HFMG
Gregory A. Frost Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer and Manager Director, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of HASCO; Manager, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of HFD; Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of HFMG; and Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Treasurer and Manager of Lattice
Joseph G. Melcher Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer Executive Vice President of HASCO and HFMG; Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Lattice; and President, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President of HFD
Anita Baldwin Vice President Vice President of HFMG
Shannon O’Neill Vice President and Controller Vice President and Controller of HASCO and HFMG; Financial and Operations Principal, Vice President and Controller of HFD
Michael J. Fixer Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Vice President of HASCO, HFD, The Hartford, HFMG and Lattice
Sarah J. Harding Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary of HASCO, HFD, Hartford Investment Management Company (7) (“HIMCO”), HFMG and Lattice
Terence Shields Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary of HFD, HFMG, and Lattice; and Vice President and Assistant Corporate Secretary of The Hartford
Audrey E. Hayden Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary of HASCO, HFD, HFMG, HIMCO and Lattice
Holly P. Seitz Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary of HFMG, HASCO, HIMCO, HFD and Lattice
Simone Parillo Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary of HFMG, HASCO, HIMCO, HFD and Lattice
Michael R. Chesman Senior Vice President and Director of Taxes Director of Taxes and Senior Vice President of HASCO, HFD, HFMG, The Hartford, HIMCO and Lattice
Keith R. Percy Vice President Vice President of HFD, HFMG, HASCO, HIMCO and Lattice
Allison Z. Mortensen Vice President Vice President of HFMG
Sabra R. Purtill Treasurer Treasurer and Senior Vice President of HASCO and The Hartford; and Treasurer of Lattice, HIMCO, HFMG and HFD
Eapen A. Chandy Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of HASCO, HFD, HFMG, Lattice and The Hartford
Gissell Martinez Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary of HASCO, HFD, HFMG and Lattice
Jeffrey T. Coghan Vice President Senior Vice President of HFD and HFMG
Elizabeth L. Kemp Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary of HFD, HFMG, HIMCO and Lattice
(1)The principal business address for HFMC is 690 Lee Road, Wayne, PA 19087.
(2)The principal business address for The Hartford is One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155.
(3)The principal business address for HFD is 690 Lee Road, Wayne, PA 19087.
(4)The principal business address for HASCO is 690 Lee Road, Wayne, PA 19087.
(5)The principal business address for HFMG is 690 Lee Road, Wayne, PA 19087.
(6)The principal business address for Lattice is 101 Montgomery Street, 27th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104.
(7)The principal business address for HIMCO is One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155.

 

Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. (“SIMNA”) serves as sub-adviser to the Registrant. The executive officers of SIMNA are listed in its registration on Form ADV (File No. 801-15834) and are hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto.  The directors and officers of SIMNA have been engaged during the past two fiscal years in no business, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature other than as directors, officers, or employees of SIMNA or certain of its corporate affiliates.

 

Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records

 

Books or other documents required to be maintained by the Registrant by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder are maintained by the Registrant’s custodian, sub-administrator, and sub-fund accounting agent, State Street Bank and Trust Company,  One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111,  the Registrant’s transfer agent, Hartford Administrative Services Company, 690 Lee Road, Wayne, PA 19087, the Registrant’s investment manager, Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC, 690 Lee Road, Wayne, PA 19087, and sub-transfer agent DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc., 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA, 02169. Registrant’s corporate records are maintained at Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC, 690 Lee Road, Wayne, PA 19087 and its financial ledgers are maintained at State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111.

 

Item 33. Management Services

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 34. Undertakings

 

 

 

 

1.Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of its Shares until it amends the prospectus filed herewith if (1) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement, or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

 

2.Not applicable.

 

3.Not applicable.

 

4.The Registrant undertakes:

 

a.to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement:

 

1.to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

2.to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; and

 

3.to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

b.that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

 

c.to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

 

d.that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C [17 CFR 230.430C]: Each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 497(b), (c), (d) or (e) under the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.497(b), (c), (d) or (e)] as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A under the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.430A], shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use;

 

e.that, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities, undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to the purchaser:

 

1.any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 497 under the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.497];

 

2.the portion of any advertisement pursuant to Rule 482 under the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.482] relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

 

3.any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

 

5.The Registrant undertakes that:

 

 

 

 

a.For purposes of determining any liability under the 1933 Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant under Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

 

b.For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

6.The Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery, within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the city of Wayne, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the 16th day of July, 2019.

 

  Hartford Schroders Opportunistic Income Fund
     
  By: /s/ Alice A. Pellegrino
    Alice A. Pellegrino
    President

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Alice A. Pellegrino   Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer   July 16, 2019
Alice A. Pellegrino        
         
/s/ Amy N. Furlong   Treasurer   July 16, 2019
Amy N. Furlong   (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)    

 

 

 

  

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No. Description
(a)(1) Certificate of Trust dated February 22, 2019
(a)(1)(i) Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Trust dated July 10, 2019
(a)(2) Declaration of Trust dated February 22, 2019
(a)(2)(i) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated July 10, 2019